The proposed rule has the potential to reduce medical errors, reduce prescription forgeries, and help providers and hospitals integrate their medical records. True electronic prescribing is long overdue. In the future, I envision hospitalists prescribing from their handheld devices.

The key to success, like any computerized system, will be the ability to keep the system running and continuously maintaining and upgrading security measures. For more information regarding electronic prescriptions for controlled substances, visit www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov. TH