Certain pharmacists can free access to patient-specific medication history data.
Surescripts and Allscripts are expanding the scope of service available in the wake of the hurricanes over the past several weeks to provide free access to patient-specific medication history data for pharmacists in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina for a limited time.
Once users have been authorized, they will need to obtain patient consent to see a 12-month view of a patient's medication history. Prescribers who do not already use medication history data through their EHR software can also download the free, cloud-based application to gain access.
Surescripts and Allscripts have both participated in similar initiatives in response to previous storms. In 2005, Surescripts participated in a public-private initiative to build an online database to provide pharmacies and clinicians access to patients' prescription histories and allergies in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Allscripts also played a role in Katrina relief efforts by offering the ePrescribe solution to clinicians caring for patients affected by the disaster.