Health IT

Allscripts, Surescripts help pharmacists gain access to patient data after Hurricane Harvey

For a limited time, the companies will provide pharmacists in Texas and Louisiana with free access to patient-specific medication history data.

interoperability

Hurricane Harvey has had a catastrophic impact on the residents of the Gulf Coast. When it comes to healthcare, not only have hospitals closed, but people’s medication regimens have been disrupted.

That’s why two health IT companies have banded together. For a limited amount of time, Allscripts and Surescripts joined forces to give pharmacists in Texas and Louisiana access to patient-specific medication history data. The service is free.

To utilize it, pharmacists can go to surescripts.com/harvey and learn how to become authorized to access a cloud-based Allscripts application. Then they will be able to gain patient consent to see the patient’s 12-month medical history. Prescribers who don’t utilize medication history data through their EHR can download the application as well.

“Most physicians already have access to medication history data via their EHR software,” Surescripts CEO Tom Skelton noted in a statement. “However, during a natural disaster this information is critical for pharmacists who may need to deliver medications outside of normal practice patterns. In some situations, it is a matter of life or death for critically ill patients who have been displaced and may have lost their medications or can’t recall their medication list.”

The need for this collaboration is crucial. As Texas and Louisiana work to rebuild themselves, patients and pharmacists are struggling with medication-related issues. Between August 21 and 29, Surescripts reported a 93 percent decrease in the volume of e-prescriptions delivered. During the same time period, the company noticed a 67 percent drop in requests for patient medication history information.

“Meeting the numerous challenges of an emergency declaration requires innovative collaboration, and Allscripts is proud to partner with Surescripts to ensure care providers and their patients in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey have the information they need, when they need it,” Allscripts CEO Paul Black said, according to a news release.

Neither organization is new to responding to storms. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Allscripts made its ePrescribe solution available to providers in impacted areas. Surescripts took part in an initiative to create an emergency prescription database for pharmacies and clinicians.

The companies also said they are monitoring Hurricane Irma and mulling over potential ways to lend a hand.

Since Harvey made landfall, various sectors of the healthcare field have come together to assist those in need. Telehealth providers such as MDLive, Doctor on Demand, Teladoc and others have been providing free visits to those affected by the hurricane.

Photo Credit: DrAfter123, Getty Images

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