March 2015

Electronic Prescribing at Kaleida Health Available March 23

On March 13, 2015, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation to postpone a New York State mandate to electronically prescribe all medications, including controlled substances, until March 27, 2016. An electronic prescription is one created, recorded or stored by electronic means; issued and validated with an electronic signature; and transmitted by electronic means directly from the prescriber to a pharmacy.

Prescriptions generated on an electronic system and printed to the Official New York State Prescription Form or faxed are NOT electronic prescriptions.

Despite the delay of the mandate until 2016, Kaleida Health will begin electronic prescribing of controlled substances on March 23, 2015. By moving forward, Kaleida Health will improve patient safety and satisfaction, assuring legibility of prescriptions and making prescription pick up faster and easier for patients. In addition, electronic prescribing of controlled substances creates a more efficient workflow for providers in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). 

In order to electronically prescribe a controlled substance, providers must use two-factor authentication. In addition to a password, providers will also need to enter a unique, one-time use passcode for each prescription.

Obtaining Your Two-Factor Authentication

Providers will need to perform the following to obtain their two-factor authentication code and register the Kaleida Health software:

  1. Visit www.kaleidahealth.org/DIGIPASSapp to download the DIGIPASS for Mobile Enterprise Security Edition application on your Android, iOS or Windows smartphone or tablet
  2. From a computer, visit https://www.infoclique.com/DIGIPASS. When prompted, enter your Kaleida Health network ID and password, and check the box stating, “I acknowledge the DEA mandates that software-based application CANNOT be used on a device that is used to electronically prescribe controlled substances.” Then, follow the instructions to scan the QR code using the DIGIPASS application on your mobile device and obtain your two- factor authentication code
  3. Register your certified electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS) software application with the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement by following the steps outlined in the Additional Information for Providers section of the Electronic Prescribing (ePrescribe) Frequently Asked Questions document
  4. Providers who do not have an Android, iOS or Windows smartphone or tablet can obtain a VASCO© fob by calling the Technology Assistance Center (TAC) at 859-7777.

Exceptions

Providers who practice at the DeGraff Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility, HighPointe on Michigan, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Dental Clinic, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Psychiatry Clinic, or any Kaleida Health clinics not yet on the EMR will not use the DIGIPASS application. If you provide service at any of these locations, you will receive a separate communication from IST.

EPCS Activity Report

Providers who electronically prescribe controlled substances will receive a monthly EPCS Activity Report of the controlled substances they prescribed for that month in their Message Center Inbox. Providers are required to report any suspicious or fraudulent activity on the report to Kaleida Health Compliance Department at 859-8559.

Additional Resources

The following resources provide additional information and instructions for electronic prescribing:

Kaleida Health is in the process of developing an electronic prescribing policy that will be available in the coming weeks.