Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Letters - SETMA Tools for e-prescribing controlled substances, pain management policy and Urine Drug Screens
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This morning I had occasion to e-prescribe another controlled substance.  Some of us have been doing this for three months.  All SETMA physicians are now able to e-prescribe controlled substances (August 31, 2015).  Let me tell you how important this is.  First, when you use this functionality, it means that the electronic documentation of the prescription is in your medication module. For quality and safety, this is a major step forward.

Second, when we are e-prescribing controlled substances it allows us to access the Urine Drug Screen function and to:

  1. Order a drug screen
  2. Note that you have discussed this with patient and may do later
  3. Note that the patient is not currently on the medication
  4. Note that the patient has had a UDS elsewhere
  5. Note that you, the provider, does not think testing is currently warranted.

Please use this function.  The first attached document above carries you through the process of e-prescribing controlled substances. 

The following link takes you through our Pain Management tool which further documents SETMA’s policy and process of prescribing pain medications:   http://jameslhollymd.com/EPM-Tools/pdfs/pain-management-tutorial.pdf.  The following link carries you through the third and final aspect of our use of pain medication and potentially abused medications which is Urine Drug Screen toolhttp://jameslhollymd.com/Your-Life-Your-Health/pdfs/prescribing-pain-medications-a-conundrum-for-patient-and-provider.pdf.

In our provider meeting on the 15th of September, we will go through these functions again.  Remember, there is only one thing which is worse than not having quality initiatives and/or safety and quality tools.  That worse thing is to have them and not to use them.

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