Ellen Perlman was a GOVERNING staff writer and technology columnist.
E-mail: mailbox@governing.comTwitter: @governing
Health & Human Services
Rx Data on Demand
A computer system helps reduce pain-killer abuse.
Kentucky is trying an electronic solution to a drug-diversion problem.
To cut down on the doctor-shopping and pharmacy-hopping that some people use to stock up on and misuse medicines with controlled substances in them, the state developed a self-service, Web-based system that keeps track of prescriptions for pain pills and other potentially addictive drugs. A pharmacist can tap into the system and see if a prescription holder is hoarding a controlled substance.
Under the previous, paper-based reporting system, Kentucky pharmacists submitted information every two weeks on the narcotics they had dispensed and to whom. When a pharmacist called in about a suspicious prescription, the information on file was not only a few weeks old but took several hours to find and convey. "By and large, it was an after-the-fact determination," says Zach Ramsey, director of the Division of Fraud, Waste and Abuse in the Office of the Inspector General. "Pharmacists could be prepared the next time the person came in, but the damage was done. The drug had left the building."
With the electronic version, information is available within minutes about prescription-holders' drug-purchasing histories and the number of doctors who have given them prescriptions for the specific medications. Doctors also can key into the system to see if someone who comes in complaining about back pain in order to get controlled substances has already been to several other doctors for the same thing.
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for updates.
Twitter: @governing
Latest from Health & Human Services
- Which States Accepted the Most Refugees in 2012?
- Millions of federal dollars flow every year through the states and a network of relief organizations to help refugees find housing, health care and jobs.
- Fact vs. Fiction: Arkansas' Game-Changing Medicaid Expansion Plan
- A lot of information is floating around about the state's first-of-its-kind plan to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. Arkansas' Medicaid director sets the record straight.
- Program Keeps Seniors from Unnecessary Psychiatric Admissions
- Too many times, state officials say, nursing home residents wrongly end up in psychiatric care.
- More States Explore Tanning Bed Bans for Teens
- California, Vermont and New York all enacted their bans in 2012, and in the current legislative session, lawmakers in 29 states have introduced measures that would tighten restrictions on teen tanning.
- Bill Linking Welfare to Grades Passes Tennessee House
- After a lengthy and passionate debate, a House committee approved legislation that would reduce welfare benefits for families whose children are failing school.
Jobs in Health
Browse thousands of available health jobs. Find a health job with detailed, free information on key career areas in health. Or post a job.
View or Post Health Jobs
Human Services Newsletter
Our monthly email newsletter offers an overview of developments and issues relating to the delivery of social services such as welfare and health care.
View Sample
Subscribe to GOVERNING Newsletters
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |