DrFirst Launches New Tool to Alert Doctors to At-Risk Patients and Identify Patient Medication Adherence Rates

DrFirst, a pioneer of innovative healthcare software solutions and services, announced today the launch of the Patient Advisor Report Card, a medication adherence alert system accessible through the company’s Patient Advisor℠ Toolbar. Physicians access the Patient Advisor Toolbar via DrFirst’s Rcopia® e-prescribing software, as well as through any EMR/EHR/HIS systems in which Patient Advisor is embedded.

Research by the American College of Preventive Medicine shows that medication non-adherence is responsible for 30% to 50% of treatment failures. Tools like Patient Advisor can contribute significantly to patient-doctor dialogue surrounding medication adherence and, thereby, increase the likelihood of better overall health outcomes for the patient.

The Patient Advisor Report Card arms physicians with Medication Adherence Rates (MAR) for each patient. For patients whose MAR result indicates an “at risk” level of non-adherence to their medication therapy, the doctor is supported with color-coded alerts to draw additional attention to that status. Presenting the patient’s MAR within the doctor’s e-prescribing workflow enables providers to make stronger clinical evaluations regarding the current state of a patient’s health, and to address and respond to the underlying causes of the patient’s medication non-adherence.

“If medical providers are able to quickly recognize gaps in a patient’s prescription fill history, they will be more able to engage with their patients at the point of care, ensuring a higher degree of medication adherence and increasing quality outcomes for patients,” said Peter N. Kaufman, M.D., DrFirst’s chief medical officer.

“A key advantage of our Patient Advisor Report Card,” added Chris Cresswell, general manager of Patient Innovations for DrFirst, “is the ability to deliver this medication adherence data to physicians within their normal workflow, as well as provide support tools for the patient such as prescription and co-pay coupons, evidence-based education materials, and wellness program referrals during the doctor-patient encounter.”

To view a video overview of Patient Advisor, please visit http://www.drfirst.com/physicians/medication-adherence.jsp.