Massachusetts Tops Nation In E-Prescribing

That compares with 156,000 at the end of last year, and 74,000 at the end of 2008, according to new data released on Tuesday by Surescripts, which operates the largest U.S. electronic prescribing network.

They said 47 states more than doubled their use of electronic prescribing last year.

In Massachusetts, one in three prescriptions is now written electronically, and 57 percent of doctors are sending prescriptions electronically.

Meanwhile, the state is moving ahead with plans to make electronic medical records ubiquitous in hospitals around the region.

Earlier this year, Massachusetts received $13.4 million in federal stimulus money to enhance electronic medical records, and today "the state certified 18 organizations as 'implementation and optimization organizations' that will help advise and support health care providers in adopting health information technology. The state also identified 10 technology vendors that offer products that will help make providers eligible for federal reimbursement, according to a news release from the Massachusetts e-Health Institute, which includes both lists.