Effect of Electronically Delivered Prescriptions on Compliance and Pharmacy Wait Time Among Emergency Department Patients

Abstract

Objectives: The primary objectives were to assess whether electronically delivered prescriptions lead to reduced pharmacy wait time, improved patient satisfaction, and improved compliance with prescriptions. Secondary objectives included determining other reasons for noncompliance and if there was an association between prescription noncompliance and subsequent physician and emergency department (ED) visits.Methods: In this prospective study, patients discharged from the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center ED with prescriptions for nonnarcotic medications were randomized to a control group who were discharged with standard written prescriptions or an intervention group who had their prescriptions electronically delivered to the pharmacy of their choice. All study participants were contacted 7 to 31 days after ED discharge for a structured telephone interview.Results: Of the 454 patients enrolled, follow-up was successful for 224 patients (52.4%). Twenty-eight patients did not fill their prescriptions (12.5% noncompliance rate). The top three reasons patients stated for not picking up their medications were perceiving their prescription as unnecessary (n = 11), medication affordability (n = 5), and lack of time (n = 4). There was no difference in primary prescription noncompliance between the two study groups (p = 0.58). However, electronically delivered prescriptions significantly reduced the median pharmacy wait time, from 15 to 0 minutes (p < 0.001), and improved patient satisfaction at the pharmacy (p = 0.034). Neither subsequent physician nor ED visits were increased by primary prescription noncompliance.Conclusions: Electronically delivered prescriptions significantly minimized pharmacy wait time and improved patient satisfaction at the pharmacy, but did not improve primary compliance with prescriptions.

Frequency of Primary Nonadherence to Acne Treatment

“…19 However, when electronic prescriptions were compared directly with paper prescriptions for patients seen at an emergency department, there was no difference in the adherence. 20 We found a trend for patients who received a paper prescription toward less likelihood of filling the prescription (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 0.8-11.1; P = .10). Over-thecounter products were associated with greater primary nonadherence (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-12.3; P = .04), consistent with previous studies.…”

A review of the literature and proposed classification on e-prescribing: Functions, assimilation stages, benefits, concerns, and risks

“…55,56 E-prescribing is intended to benefit patients through reducing wait times and increasing their level of satisfaction with pharmacies. 57 The literature shows that patients who have their prescriptions linked directly to a pharmacy experienced greater convenience in obtaining repeat prescriptions compared to those who submit an initial request before collecting their medications per prescription. 58 One of the most cited benefits of e-prescribing systems for patients in the UK is the Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) electronic service.…”

Impact of value added services on patient waiting time at the ambulatory pharmacy Queen Elizabeth Hospital

“…Some of these include automated dispensing system, manpower scheduling plan, electronically delivered prescription and redesign of pharmacy workflow 4,5,6,7,8. In Malaysia, one of the methods adopted was implementation of Value Added Services (VAS).…”