I concur with Bert. I would hate now to have sign all of my staff faxed scripts. But, then again, my employees have been with me for 20 years and I have near-complete trust in them. We still write out all controlled substances on a special script but otherwise, most everything is faxed. I have laptops in each exam room and I complete my note and fax the scripts while I am winding up the visit. I have not had one pharmacy or mail order house decline my "unsigned " fax. I personally think it is much more secure than an office staffer calling in a script and, in fact, I am suprised that is still even legally allowed anywhere in the US. At least with a fax, the phone number of origin (your office fax number) is right there on the receiving pharmacy's copy. Soon, I hope to move to receiving faxes digitally and then simply turn around and send them right back. I hope to save a few beautiful trees and cuddly toners that way.
Also, while on this subject, I write and fax all my letters and notes to consultants while I am still in with the patient. I think it gives the patient a more accurate picture of just all we do in addition to the examination. They seem to appreciate a bit more why my office charge is what it is when they have to sit there and wait for me to enter their multitude of "oh by the way" complaints. They seem to puff a little less when they get their charge for a 99214 visit. I used to spend 2 hours or better completing all my paperwork after finishing up seeing patients for the day and decided the patients really ought to see what we do and suffer with us while we do it. I just allow more time between scheduled patients.
Leslie
