Jonathan Fox-Haines

The COVID-19 pandemic has put tremendous pressure on most aspects of the medical industry — including prescription processing.

There’s considerable uncertainty on the production side (as this article states, about 90 percent of all active pharmaceutical ingredients, or APIs, are made outside the United States, often in China or India). And once the drugs are produced, distribution to patients has become more complicated, given that pharmacies are dealing with increased demand, additional strains on employees and alternate methods of delivery, including mail order – which brings up new issues of security and compliance.

If your company is struggling with the complexities and costs of prescription processing – whether COVID-related or not – there is a solution: Have an experienced provider handle your prescription processing.

Certainly! The provided content highlights the benefits of a process that integrates advanced technology and established outsourced services to enhance operational efficiency and optimize resource utilization, particularly during challenging circumstances. Let’s elaborate on each key point:

  1. Compliance with HIPAA and State Regulations:

    • Ensuring compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state regulations is crucial in the healthcare industry. Adhering to these standards is necessary to safeguard patient data and maintain legal requirements.
  2. Relief of Routing Duties:

    • By outsourcing certain tasks, there is a relief of routine responsibilities, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on core activities. This can lead to increased productivity and a more streamlined workflow.
  3. Remote Processing with Full Auditing and Reporting:

    • The incorporation of remote processing not only facilitates flexibility but also comes with comprehensive auditing and reporting capabilities. This ensures transparency and accountability in all processes, even when conducted remotely.
  4. Redundancy for Complete Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity:

    • Implementing redundancy measures is essential for disaster recovery and business continuity. This means having backup systems and processes in place to ensure seamless operations in the event of unexpected disruptions or disasters.
  5. Use of Six Sigma Methodologies to Ensure Errors are Eliminated:

    • Six Sigma methodologies are recognized for their effectiveness in minimizing errors and defects. By incorporating these methodologies into the process, there is a commitment to continuous improvement and the reduction of errors, ultimately enhancing the quality of services provided.
  6. Safeguards to Ensure Confidentiality of Patient Information:

    • Patient confidentiality is of utmost importance in healthcare. The process includes safeguards to secure and protect patient information, ensuring that it remains confidential and is not compromised.

In summary, the integration of cutting-edge technology and outsourced services in this process offers a multifaceted approach to improving healthcare operations. From regulatory compliance and task delegation to remote processing and error reduction, these elements collectively contribute to a more efficient, resilient, and secure healthcare system, particularly during challenging times.

What’s more, by outsourcing your prescription processing, you can free your own employees to focus on clinical functions, patient care and other core competencies, during the COVID-19 pandemic — and beyond.