I have seen some pharmacists here proclaim that electronic transmittal
of Rx  will solve all our problems. I disagree.

I work in a hospital and we fill about 400-500 outpatient Rx a day. Some
are discharge orders, some are refills, and many are from out op
clinics.

We call our system Epic web, so I presume that is the name of the design
company. The Rxs print out on computer printers in our pharmacies.
Although I've never seen it, I presume the physicians have a
standardized set of input options, as opposed to total liberty to enter
whatever they want.

I've worked here ~9 months, and system has been in place a bit longer.
I'm not impressed. I think we make as many phone calls as before. Issues
involving insurance formularies are just the same as before. While
handwriting is no longer an issue, show me a computer & printer system
that never break down. Also, I've seen some pretty weird Rx. For
example:

Rx Zithromax 250mg
Quant 6
Sig: Take 2 tablets

Rx Atenolol 25mg
Quant 90
Sig: /2 tab qd

The correct Rx were the standard ZPak in the former, and 1/2 tab qd in
the latter. Of course, most Rx come down fine, but can't the same be
said for handwritten Rx?

Since this is an in-house system, none of the Rx are signed. If the
patient decides not to use our pharmacy, they have to make a trip back
to the MD. C-2 Rx cannot be filled this way. It's not uncommon for the
patients to show up before the Rx.

Maybe it's a improvement. It doesn't seem to be a great improvement.