The Benefits of E-Prescribing for Small Private Practices

Written by
Practice Better
Emma Benner
Published on
August 5, 2025

Paper-based prescribing still persists — but at a cost

If you’re still writing prescriptions by hand, you’re not alone. While nearly 92% of U.S. clinicians have adopted some form of electronic prescribing, more than 70% still prefer paper-based workflows in specific scenarios.

That preference may stem from comfort, uncertainty about technology, or misconceptions around complexity. But in today’s healthcare environment, clinging to paper is more than just old-school; it may be holding your practice back from delivering safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective care.

Why sticking with pen and paper increases your risk

Paper workflows come with known downsides: illegible handwriting, incomplete records, and time-consuming refill calls. These drawbacks aren’t just annoying; they’re risky, and studies show that electronic prescription technology has decreased medication errors dramatically.

A comprehensive systematic review found that computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems — a core component of e-prescribing — reduce medication error rates by an average of 48%. For small private practices, that translates into significantly safer prescribing with less administrative risk.

Understanding e-prescribing beyond the basics

E-prescribing is more than replacing a prescription pad with a keyboard. It’s the secure, electronic generation and transmission of prescriptions directly to a patient’s pharmacy. But modern e-prescribing systems also offer:

  • Real-time drug interaction and allergy checks
  • Auto-populated patient medication histories
  • Secure transmission across HIPAA-compliant channels

These features are built to reduce risk, save time, and increase trust between you and your patients. As BGO Software explains, e-prescribing is foundational to improving healthcare outcomes through automation and integration.

3 reasons to upgrade: Benefits that impact your practice daily

1. Reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety

Medication mistakes are one of the most preventable causes of harm in outpatient care. E-prescribing systems with built-in decision support can automatically flag potential drug interactions, incorrect dosages, and patient drug allergies. According to Tiga Health, these safeguards help improve patient safety by eliminating the human error associated with handwritten notes.

2. Simplify your workflow and reduce administrative headaches

Say goodbye to pharmacy callbacks, lost paper scripts, and endless refill faxes. With tools like DrFirst’s e‑Prescribing software — the technology powering Practice Better’s ePrescribe — you can streamline pharmacy communication, reduce refill requests, and handle prescription changes efficiently. It simplifies your day‑to‑day workflow so you can focus on what matters most: patient care.

3. Support medication adherence with less effort

Nearly 20% of paper prescriptions are never filled. Electronic prescribing systems minimize that drop-off by making medications easier to access and offering built-in refill reminders. Removing friction for your patients improves outcomes, increases engagement, and builds trust.

Why integration makes e-prescribing even more powerful

The real magic of e-prescribing happens when it’s part of your larger digital ecosystem and not just a bolt-on tool. With Practice Better’s ePrescribe integration, powered by DrFirst, you can:

  • Electronically send controlled and non-controlled prescriptions
  • Access drug interaction alerts, patient histories, and PDMP checks
  • Stay compliant with HIPAA, EPCS, and state-specific mandates at the point of care

Because it’s embedded directly into your all-in-one electronic health records (EHR) system, you don’t have to toggle between systems or re-enter patient data. Everything you need, like charting, scheduling, and prescribing, lives in one place.

It’s time to make prescribing smarter, not harder

E-prescribing isn’t just a technological upgrade. It’s a step toward safer, smarter, and more patient-centered care. For small private practices juggling clinical care and operations, the benefits are too significant to ignore.

If you’re ready to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and deliver a better experience for patients and staff alike, try a demo of Practice Better’s ePrescribe feature today.

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The Benefits of E-Prescribing for Small Private Practices

Paper-based prescribing still persists — but at a cost

If you’re still writing prescriptions by hand, you’re not alone. While nearly 92% of U.S. clinicians have adopted some form of electronic prescribing, more than 70% still prefer paper-based workflows in specific scenarios.

That preference may stem from comfort, uncertainty about technology, or misconceptions around complexity. But in today’s healthcare environment, clinging to paper is more than just old-school; it may be holding your practice back from delivering safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective care.

Why sticking with pen and paper increases your risk

Paper workflows come with known downsides: illegible handwriting, incomplete records, and time-consuming refill calls. These drawbacks aren’t just annoying; they’re risky, and studies show that electronic prescription technology has decreased medication errors dramatically.

A comprehensive systematic review found that computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems — a core component of e-prescribing — reduce medication error rates by an average of 48%. For small private practices, that translates into significantly safer prescribing with less administrative risk.

Understanding e-prescribing beyond the basics

E-prescribing is more than replacing a prescription pad with a keyboard. It’s the secure, electronic generation and transmission of prescriptions directly to a patient’s pharmacy. But modern e-prescribing systems also offer:

  • Real-time drug interaction and allergy checks
  • Auto-populated patient medication histories
  • Secure transmission across HIPAA-compliant channels

These features are built to reduce risk, save time, and increase trust between you and your patients. As BGO Software explains, e-prescribing is foundational to improving healthcare outcomes through automation and integration.

3 reasons to upgrade: Benefits that impact your practice daily

1. Reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety

Medication mistakes are one of the most preventable causes of harm in outpatient care. E-prescribing systems with built-in decision support can automatically flag potential drug interactions, incorrect dosages, and patient drug allergies. According to Tiga Health, these safeguards help improve patient safety by eliminating the human error associated with handwritten notes.

2. Simplify your workflow and reduce administrative headaches

Say goodbye to pharmacy callbacks, lost paper scripts, and endless refill faxes. With tools like DrFirst’s e‑Prescribing software — the technology powering Practice Better’s ePrescribe — you can streamline pharmacy communication, reduce refill requests, and handle prescription changes efficiently. It simplifies your day‑to‑day workflow so you can focus on what matters most: patient care.

3. Support medication adherence with less effort

Nearly 20% of paper prescriptions are never filled. Electronic prescribing systems minimize that drop-off by making medications easier to access and offering built-in refill reminders. Removing friction for your patients improves outcomes, increases engagement, and builds trust.

Why integration makes e-prescribing even more powerful

The real magic of e-prescribing happens when it’s part of your larger digital ecosystem and not just a bolt-on tool. With Practice Better’s ePrescribe integration, powered by DrFirst, you can:

  • Electronically send controlled and non-controlled prescriptions
  • Access drug interaction alerts, patient histories, and PDMP checks
  • Stay compliant with HIPAA, EPCS, and state-specific mandates at the point of care

Because it’s embedded directly into your all-in-one electronic health records (EHR) system, you don’t have to toggle between systems or re-enter patient data. Everything you need, like charting, scheduling, and prescribing, lives in one place.

It’s time to make prescribing smarter, not harder

E-prescribing isn’t just a technological upgrade. It’s a step toward safer, smarter, and more patient-centered care. For small private practices juggling clinical care and operations, the benefits are too significant to ignore.

If you’re ready to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and deliver a better experience for patients and staff alike, try a demo of Practice Better’s ePrescribe feature today.

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