NCPA releases new HIT report
ALEXANDRIA, Va. The National Community Pharmacists Association has issued a report highlighting the importance and future use of health-information technology by community pharmacies.
The report, called “Health Information Technology and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: A Road Map for Community Pharmacy”, is an updated version of what was created in advance of the two-day, NCPA-hosted conference in June with other healthcare industry stakeholders.
NCPA’s conference focused on ensuring community pharmacies are working collaboratively with other health care delivery partners to meet those goals and to take advantage of all applicable incentive programs, such as the $2 billion in stimulus funding dedicated for grants to expand the use of EHRs.
“As any successful business owner well tell you, adapting to the changing marketplace is critical for continued success,” said Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, NCPA EVP and CEO. “Community pharmacies want to provide the best possible patient care. Creating greater efficiencies using health information technology can make a world of difference. That’s why NCPA established technology-based companies like Surescripts and Mirixa, and it is why we are working proactively to incorporate electronic health records into our operations."
“This report details the substantive steps we are taking in creating a secure, instantaneous and coordinated system for sharing of our patients’ information in the coming years,” Roberts added.