Recent Events in the News

Few NY Doctors Use Electronic Drug Data-Part 1

Posted on Jan 24, 2012

According to the New York State Health Department, only 2,216 (2.8%) out of 80,000 health providers throughout the state, who can prescribe controlled substances like painkillers, utilize the state online database, which alerts providers to potential abusers. The online service has been available since spring 2010 and only 47,000 providers have opened accounts with the database.

There are several reasons for this sparse use. Some complain that it is not user-friendly, is difficult to log on to, and takes too much time out of a doctor's busy schedule. Others have their own methods to catch drug abusers. Even so, the New York database is updated monthly, which means it often does not have the information doctors need. The database also does not inform doctors as to whether patients have had their prescriptions filled in other states. Finally, pharmacists don't have access to the database.

Newsday explores several opinions in the medical community. One specialist of 15 years, whose clinic sees 5000 patients per year, is frustrated with the lack of information in the system. Instead, he asks for the patient's detailed history and a contract, and only then does he prescribe medicine.

Another comparably-sized clinic heeds advice from the state but also works closely with local pharmacists.

The director at North Shore-LIJ, which sees over 10,000 patients per year, consults the database when he is suspicious of a patient.

On the other hand, Dr. Daniel Laieta and Dr. Thomas Jan of Holbrook and Massapequa, respectively, do use the system, and to some success in identifying abusers.

MORE INFO:
If you would like more information about how medical malpractice and accident cases work in the state of New York, I encourage you to explore my educational website. If you have legal questions, I urge you to pick up the phone and call me at 516-487-8207 or by e-mail at lawmed10@yahoo.com to answer your questions. That's what I do every day. I welcome your call.

Gerry practices law exclusively in the State of New York. Within New York he practices primarily in the following counties: New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk. Technically, Brooklyn is known as "Kings County," and Manhattan and New York City are known as "New York County." Staten Island is known as "Richmond County." These counties make up the New York metropolitan area.