One-year outreach pilot program serves Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program with easier, safer access to prescriptions.

28 December 2004, BOSTON, MA: Zix Corporation’s PocketScript
e-prescribing will be used by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) in a one-year trial outreach initiative through the eRx Collaborative. The collaborative effort comprises Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), Tufts Health Plan, Neighbourhood Health Plan and ZixCorp. This plan offers physicians a comprehensive e-prescribing program and aims to improve patient safety and reduce medical costs.

The initiative, which went live Dec. 1, enables all participants in the effort to transmit prescriptions using the PocketScript application on BlackBerry wireless handhelds directly to the closest pharmacy. In this manner, patients can avoid the hassle of carrying a paper script that could get misplaced, lost or stolen during transit. A total of 14 clinicians will be equipped with BlackBerry wireless handhelds. They comprise physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working for BHCHP's Street and Family Outreach departments and the Barbara McInnis House inpatient respite care facility.

The inherent mobility in using BlackBerry wireless handhelds has empowered the clinicians as it allows them to patrol and help homeless citizens. "PocketScript gives us the freedom to literally prescribe on the street," said BHCHP Chief Information Officer Peter Malloy. "And with the ability to access the Massachusetts Medicaid formulary on the devices, we're assured that the drugs we prescribe are covered. It's a much more efficient way to prescribe," he added.

This is in line with BHCHP’s mission to assure access to quality healthcare for all homeless individuals and families in Boston. The program works toward achieving this mission in two ways: by bridging the gap between medicine and public health through integration of shelters, clinics, and health centres; and by helping the healthcare system address the special needs of people who struggle with persistent poverty.

"The bottom line for us is improved patient care. Features like drug-to-drug interaction checking and access to up-to-date medication history enhance the quality of care we provide, especially for our street team and outreach clinicians," commented BHCHP medical director Dr. Greg Wagoner on the use of Zix Corporation’s PocketScript e-Prescribing using mobile BlackBerry handhelds.