Steps forward on e-prescribing. As e-prescribing becomes more widespread, even hospital organizations without full EMR implementation are seeing gains in clinician workflow and patient safety.

E-prescribing is reaching a tipping point health system-wide. Hospitals and health systems are helping physicians to benefit from e-prescribing, even in cases where full EMR has not yet taken place. E-prescribing and lab information will soon available in the same place. Providers who do not use e-prescribing will begin to see penalties in 2012.