Surescripts report highlights e-prescribing, interoperability growth

ARLINGTON, Va. — Health information network Surecsripts on Tuesday shared its 2015 National Progress Report, highlighting the company’s growth. Last year, Surescripts says it processed 9.7 billion secure health data transactions (a 48% increase over 2014) and processed an average of 3.8 million electronic prescriptions every day. 

 

In addition, Surescripts connected more than a million healthcare professionals to information on more than 240 million patients. The company processed 1.4 billion electronic prescriptions, 1.05 billion medication histories and 15.3 million clinical messages in 2015, which it says points to large growth in access to and sharing of patient data between physicians, pharmacists, hospitals and health plans. 

 

“The benefits of interoperability are made more and more clear as the Surescripts network continues to expand with new connections, new capabilities and new markets,” Surescripts CEO Tom Skelton said. “Our network brings together pharmacists, doctors, hospitals and payers who are embracing trusted technology and sharing health information on a much wider scale, driving increased efficiency and cost savings—but most importantly, improving the quality of patient care.” 

 

Providers enabled to electronically prescribe controlled substances increased 359% in 2015, increasing the number of e-prescriptions for them by 600%. And the number of medication histories that Surescripts has processed has grown by more than a factor of four since 2010, which the company said has helped save hospitals as much as $400 million, 25,000 patient readmissions and 15,000 adverse drug events in 2015. 

 

“Having access to patient histories made us aware of 560,000 extra medications and 13,500 additional allergies last year. This is tremendous with regard to avoiding clinical complications and adverse events,” SSM Health’s interoperability lead, Erica Neher, said. “The ability to find and share health histories on patients in a safe and timely manner is crucial to ensuring that health systems are providing the best care.”