OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Netsmart has received 21 CFR 1311 Certification for its OrderConnect™ e-prescribing solution. The certification is a requirement before prescribers or pharmacies can begin to exchange e-prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS).
Successful completion of the testing of the OrderConnect e-prescribing solution by Drummond Group and Surescripts® means caregivers licensed to prescribe controlled substances for the treatment of mental illnesses will no longer be tethered to a paper-based system. The intended result is a more efficient workflow, enhanced medication management and fewer cases of prescription-drug fraud.
Drummond Group's EPCS certification process, one of the first approved by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is designed to review prescriber and pharmacy applications with EPCS extensions for compliance against the DEA EPCS rule. Likewise, Surescript’s EPCS certification allows e-prescribing solutions to send prescriptions for controlled substances to pharmacies with software that has also obtained Surescripts EPCS certification. Netsmart is one of only a select few behavioral health IT providers to have successfully completed the rigorous testing.
“Caregivers are increasingly embracing a digitized work environment. We are pleased to deliver on our mission to help our clients redefine and enhance how they serve the most vulnerable populations,” said Netsmart CEO Mike Valentine. “The ability to tie all prescriptions to one electronic workflow is a win for behavioral health providers and those they serve.”
“The efficiencies of e-prescribing controlled substances with Netsmart’s OrderConnect solution will extend beyond the walls of our organization," said Carolyn Grassick, I.T. Manager, South Oaks Hospital, which serves Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York. "There's a higher possibility that a paper-based prescription, placed in the hands of a client, won't always reach the pharmacy. Eliminating an unnecessary step in the treatment process can increase the likelihood of successful outcomes by improving medication adherence. E-prescribing also eliminates legibility issues for the pharmacy, allowing for a more timely process of filling prescriptions. We are excited to have the ability to electronically prescribe controlled substances using the OrderConnect solution.”
Crime reduction is another major motivator to electronically prescribe controlled substances. According to NAVIPPRO (National Addictions Vigilance Intervention and Prevention Program), 3 to 9 percent of substances diverted for abuse are tied to paper prescription forgery and fraud.
Netsmart’s medication management solutions are designed to enable safe and timely delivery and management of medication information to all providers involved in a person’s treatment, and include:
- Order entry
- Medication reconciliation
- e-Prescribing
- Pharmacy
- Medication administration
- Lab ordering and monitoring
About Drummond Group Inc.
Drummond Group Inc. is a global software test and certification lab that serves a wide range of vertical industries. In healthcare, Drummond Group tests and certifies Controlled Substance Ordering Systems (CSOS), Electronic Prescription of Controlled Substances (EPCS) software and processes, and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) – designating the trusted test lab as the only third-party certifier of all three initiatives designed to move the industry toward a digital future. Founded in 1999, and accredited for the Office of the National Coordinator HIT Certification Program as an Authorized Certification Body (ACB) and an Accredited Test Lab (ATL), Drummond Group continues to build upon its deep experience and expertise necessary to deliver reliable and cost-effective services. For more information, please visit http://www.drummondgroup.com or e-mail DGI@drummondgroup.com
About Surescripts
Surescripts operates the largest health information network that connects the diverse and expansive community of care partners nationwide, including pharmacies, providers, benefit managers, and health information exchanges. Surescripts is leading the way for a more connected and collaborative healthcare system with a technology neutral platform that exchanges vast amounts of data across a disparate range of health technology systems in use today. For more information, go to www.surescripts.com and follow us at http://www.twitter.com/surescripts.
About Netsmart
Netsmart is committed to helping health and human services providers deliver effective, outcomes-based care. Netsmart serves more than 20,000 clients across all 50 states, resulting in approximately 450,000 users of its software and technology solutions. Netsmart clients include mental health and addiction services agencies, health homes, psychiatric hospitals, private and group mental health practices, public health departments, social services and child and family services agencies, managed care organizations, and vital records offices.
Netsmart’s CareFabric™, a framework of innovative clinical and business solutions and services, supports integrated, coordinated delivery of health services across the spectrum of care.
Netsmart’s Healthcare IT Value Model™, a vendor-agnostic planning and measurement system, provides a path for health and human services organizations to evaluate where on the healthcare IT spectrum they should focus their efforts, the value associated with that strategic decision and a comparison with peer organizations nationwide.
Netsmart is pleased to support the EveryDay Matters Foundation, which was established for behavioral and public health organizations to learn from each other and share their causes and stories. For more information, visit www.everydaymatters.com
Learn more about how Netsmart is changing the face of health care today. Visit www.ntst.com, call 1-800-472-5509, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter, like us on Facebook or visit us on YouTube
OrderConnect, myHealthPointe, HIT Value Model and CareFabric are trademarks of Netsmart Technologies, Inc.
