There is an ongoing drug abuse epidemic. Watch the video to get an overview of the problem in Oklahoma, USA.
PDMP, a prescription monitoring program, is one of the most promising resources to help clinicians identify, intervene and curb drug prescription abuse. PDMPs are state-run electronic databases – functioning in 47 U.S. states and territories – that track the prescription and dispense of drugs to patients. Pharmacists report to a PDMP each time a prescription is filled for a controlled substance medication.
When this information is available at the point of care, it can help clinicians to distinguish between patients who legitimately need opioid medications and those who may be seeking to misuse these drugs. While PDMPs can serve as a valuable tool, most clinicians typically don’t use them. This is largely because they have been devious or time consuming to access (especially when outside of a clinician’s normal prescribing workflow).
We see the need to automate this. But what we also see, is the need to support patients that take these medications. Our solution is a real-time monitoring of the intake moments. We think this could be integrated with the health IT systems used by these physicians. Interoperability is essential in this. And last but not least: implement the solution within the physician’s workflow!
Author: Indy Kavelaars @ Vitaphone Netherlands
Source: Health IT
Vitaphone Telemedicine 