Sending and Retrieving e-Prescriptions across Europe: Lessons Learned

Abstract

European e-health initiatives tend to improve patient safety by reducing the frequency of medical errors and by providing quick access to medical documentation. In situations of unplanned care or emergency these may even represent lifesaving information and reduce the repetition of diagnostic procedures. Providing this kind of services in the cross-border settings poses an even greater challenge. This paper presents an experience report on Croatia’s implementation, interoperability testing and preparations of the e-Prescription pilot service for sending and retrieving electronic prescriptions between Croatia and different European countries. Already implemented national e-health projects and strategic decisions put in action have made this innovative project’s efforts valuable, along with the international support of developing the open source solution for establishing the National Contact Point for these e-health services.