Kirtland Pharmacy sets benchmark for e-prescribing

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  • By 377th Medical Group
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 377th Medical Group Pharmacy was recently recognized by Air Force Global Strike Command as the benchmark for the Department of Defense's electronic prescribing initiative.

The Kirtland pharmacy held the number one spot out of 574 DoD pharmacies for prescriber usage of the system in October 2015 and has consistently stayed within the top 10 since the program launched in October 2014.

"Electronic prescribing allows our civilian providers to send prescriptions to our pharmacy safely, efficiently and securely," said Tech. Sgt. Raechael Evans, pharmacy flight chief. "It significantly decreases the potential for medication errors and also decreases our patients wait time."

Maj. Emily Fletcher, pharmacy flight commander, said the road to the number one spot wasn't easy, as new processes take time to communicate, institute and streamline. 

"Before electronic prescribing even went online, the pharmacy was mailing out letters to every one of its 1,400 civilian providers and hospital administrators," Fletcher said. "Patients were also informed of the new process by using various advertisements such as bag stuffers and formularies. Constant communication was the key to getting everyone on board."  

Patients are highly encouraged to have their providers submit their prescriptions electronically.  The electronic prescribing address is "DoD Kirtland e-Phcy." 

Overall, it takes less time to process electronic prescriptions versus handwritten and faxed prescriptions, Fletcher said. 

Prescriptions from off base providers are filled at the BX Pharmacy.  Time can be saved by calling ahead to the BX Pharmacy to activate the electronic prescription by phone. All prescriptions activated over the phone will be ready the next duty day after 10 a.m.  

The BX Pharmacy hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  It is closed on weekends, federal holidays, training days, and command-directed down days.  For any questions on electronic prescribing, call 505-846-7902.