New Jersey Blues to fund e-medication records in area hospitals

In a pilot program, certain hospitals in Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey's (BCBSNJ) network will be able to pull up the electronic medication histories of their patients in real time. This technological feat will be made possible through funding by the insurer. BCBSNJ, which is investing up to $500,000 in the pilot, claims that it is the first insurer in the nation to invest in this safety strategy. According to Sal Ferrito, pharmacy director at participating Chlton Memorial Hospital, "The program is an excellent tool in helping prevent adverse drug reactions and medication errors by allowing us to access information that was not previously available to us at the point of hospitalization."