PROVIDENCE – Gov. Donald L. Carcieri and leaders from across the Rhode Island health care community cited three physicians Monday for their efforts to improve patient safety and practice efficiency through the use of electronic prescribing technology.
Drs. Conrad Granito of Pawtucket, Christine Rayner of Cranston and Diane Siedlecki of Providence were commended by the governor during a ceremony at the State House where they were given the inaugural SafeRx award.
Beyond Cash Donations: How New Forms of Giving Are Transforming Not-for-Profit Accounting
Evolving Funding Landscape for Not-for-Profits Not-for-profit organizations are being asked to do more with less,…
Learn More
The ceremony opened with Carcieri accepting a SafeRx award on behalf of the state for finishing No. 1 in the nation as part of the first-ever nationwide review and ranking of electronic prescribing activity. Honorary SafeRx awards were given to Laura Adams, president and CEO of the R.I. Quality Institute, and Dr. Yul Ejnes, a practicing physician from Coastal Medical and board member of the Institute. The honorees were recognized for their leadership and for playing a role in Rhode Island’s e-prescribing launch and success to date.
“We commend Rhode Island for its pathbreaking work in implementing electronic prescribing,” said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan. “Rhode Island’s leadership provides further evidence that e-prescribing has the potential for transforming health care, making it safer, more efficient, and more cost effective.”
SafeRx recognizes how e-prescribing can enhance patient safety by providing a secure and accurate prescribing process. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association and SureScripts sponsor the SafeRx award.
The award goes to the top 10 e-prescribing states in the nation and three physicians within the winning states who have demonstrated leadership through their use of e-prescribing technology. Results are based on an analysis of data from new prescriptions and refill responses electronically transmitted over the SureScripts Electronic Prescribing Network. States are ranked based on the number of prescriptions routed electronically in 2005 as a percentage of the total number of prescriptions eligible for electronic routing.
SafeRx Award Winners: Top 10 E-Prescribing States:
1. Rhode Island
2. Nevada
3. Massachusetts
4. Maryland
5. Florida
6. Delaware
7. Virginia
8. North Carolina
9. Ohio
10. Michigan
Both Lifespan and the Rhode Island Quality Institute were credited for contributing to Rhode Island’s No. 1 finish.
Carcieri was joined by health care leaders from across the state Monday to announce a campaign to help Rhode Island meet its new goals and extend its role in electronic prescribing.
Starting Tuesday, the R.I. Pharmacists Association and many of the state’s local community pharmacies will launch a statewide technology assessment. The assessment is designed to help physicians determine if their practice already possesses the technology to establish a direct, two-way, computer-to-computer connection with their local pharmacies. Practices will be sent the one-page assessment by fax and mail, or have the option to complete it online.
