Hospitals in NYS that print prescriptions for non-controlled substances from computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems can continue to be exempt from aspects of the NYS Department of Health's (DOH's) "Official Prescription" program, thanks to GNYHA's efforts to secure the continued exemption. In order to obtain the exemption, facilities must complete an application form and send it to DOH, which will notify facilities in writing if the applications have been approved. An emergency regulation became effective on Apr. 9, 2007, to implement the continued exemption.
NYS's "Official Prescription" program was scheduled to become fully effective on Apr. 19, 2006. However, after a series of discussions with DOH in 2005 and 2006, GNYHA obtained an exemption from the requirements until Apr. 19, 2007, for all non-controlled substance prescriptions written in hospitals. At the request of members, GNYHA, together with the Healthcare Association of New York State, strongly advocated for a continuation of the exemption beyond Apr. 19, 2007, for hospitals that print prescriptions using CPOE systems. GNYHA's request was put forward on the basis that those hospitals would either have to revert to handwriting prescriptions or unnecessarily expend significant sums for special equipment because CPOE systems vendors were not willing to develop the modifications needed to permit e-prescribing. DOH was initially reluctant to grant a continued exemption but, as a result of several discussions that GNYHA facilitated, the Department agreed to continue to exempt hospitals with CPOE systems provided that they affix serialized stickers, which DOH will make available, to their CPOE-generated prescriptions. DOH indicated that it did not want those hospitals printing prescriptions from CPOE systems to revert to handwritten prescriptions, particularly given vendors' refusal to make the necessary modifications.
As of Apr. 19, 2007, prescribers in hospitals have the following options for writing prescriptions for non-controlled substances:
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handwriting prescriptions on "Official Prescription" forms;
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printing prescriptions from CPOE systems on serialized "Official Prescription" paper provided by DOH;
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printing prescriptions from CPOE systems on regular paper with a special serialized sticker affixed once the stickers are available; or
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transmitting the prescriptions electronically from practitioner computer to pharmacy computer or fax (e-prescribing).
The requirement that all controlled substances prescriptions be written on "Official Prescription" forms will continue. That phase of the "Official Prescription" program had been implemented as of Apr. 19, 2006.
For more information or to obtain an application form for the facility CPOE exemption, contact Doris R. Varlese at GNYHA.