Connecting Dentists to PharmaNet: Your Step-by-Step Guide
PharmaNet is a secure system connecting pharmacies across British Columbia with the provincial drug information system. Recently, dentists gained access, allowing them to check patients' medications for potential issues with treatments. This guide will help you set up PharmaNet for your dental clinic. By doing so, you can improve patient safety, reduce errors, and provide better care.
Why Should Dentists Use PharmaNet?
PharmaNet offers many benefits to dentists. Here are the key reasons to use it:
1. Improved Patient Safety
PharmaNet gives dentists accurate information about:
Medication history
Allergies
Drug interactions
This ensures dentists make better prescribing decisions and reduces harmful drug reactions.
Example: Some patients don’t mention taking blood thinners like aspirin. Prescribing NSAIDs such as ibuprofen could cause serious issues like stomach ulcers or heavy bleeding. With PharmaNet, you can check these details beforehand and prevent complications.
2. Fewer Medication Errors
Dentists can review a patient’s medication doses and history before prescribing, reducing errors and ensuring proper treatment.
Example: Many patients take painkillers like acetaminophen. If additional acetaminophen is prescribed without checking, it can lead to an overdose. PharmaNet makes it easy to avoid such mistakes.
3. Enhanced Quality of Care
PharmaNet provides a full view of a patient’s medications, including those prescribed by other healthcare providers.
Important Note: PharmaNet does not yet include medications given in hospitals—a gap that many hope will be addressed soon.
By reviewing this information, dentists can avoid drug interactions and make informed treatment decisions. If you’re unsure about interactions, tools like DentalRx can help.
How to Set Up PharmaNet in 5 Steps
Setting up PharmaNet may seem tricky, but it’s manageable with guidance. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Choose a Software Vendor
Work with an approved PharmaNet software vendor. Options include:
Excelleris: 1-866-728-4777
iClinic Inc.: 604-566-9862
Medinet: medinet.ca
Plexia Electronic Medical Systems Inc.: 604-269-3733
CareConnect: careconnect@phsa.ca
Recommendation:
CareConnect: Known as the "gold standard," but support can be slow.
Medinet: A Vancouver-based provider with excellent customer service and strong integration with dental software.
Step 2: Set Up the BC Services Card App
Download the BC Services Card App to verify your identity. Follow these steps:
Get the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Complete the setup prompts in the app.
Wait 24–48 hours for government verification.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
You will need:
Your clinic’s business license
Organization’s official name (as listed in the BC Corporate Registry)
Mailing address
Regular operating hours
Name of your PharmaNet software provider
Contact details for the PharmaNet Administrator (you)
A technical support contact person
Step 4: Become a Privacy Officer
Learn the rules for using PharmaNet responsibly. Completing this step is necessary to become a certified Privacy Officer and ensure compliance.
Step 5: Submit Your Application via PRIME
Apply through the PRIME website.
Timeline: It usually takes 2–6 weeks to process your application.
After approval, you’ll receive a PharmaNet ID (PID). Your software vendor will handle the final setup, including billing and access. If you choose Medinet, they will make this process seamless.
Final Thoughts
Setting up PharmaNet takes effort, but the benefits make it worthwhile. It helps protect patients, reduce errors, and improve care. By collaborating with pharmacists, dentists can create better healthcare outcomes for everyone.
If you need assistance, DentalRx is here to help. Get in contact with us, or for more information, visit the PRIME website.
PharmaNet empowers dentists to deliver safer, higher-quality care. Start your setup today and make a positive difference for your patients!
Connecting Dentists to PharmaNet: Your Step-by-Step Guide
PharmaNet is a secure system connecting pharmacies across British Columbia with the provincial drug information system. Recently, dentists gained access, allowing them to check patients' medications for potential issues with treatments. This guide will help you set up PharmaNet for your dental clinic. By doing so, you can improve patient safety, reduce errors, and provide better care.
Why Should Dentists Use PharmaNet?
PharmaNet offers many benefits to dentists. Here are the key reasons to use it:
1. Improved Patient Safety
PharmaNet gives dentists accurate information about:
Medication history
Allergies
Drug interactions
This ensures dentists make better prescribing decisions and reduces harmful drug reactions.
Example: Some patients don’t mention taking blood thinners like aspirin. Prescribing NSAIDs such as ibuprofen could cause serious issues like stomach ulcers or heavy bleeding. With PharmaNet, you can check these details beforehand and prevent complications.
2. Fewer Medication Errors
Dentists can review a patient’s medication doses and history before prescribing, reducing errors and ensuring proper treatment.
Example: Many patients take painkillers like acetaminophen. If additional acetaminophen is prescribed without checking, it can lead to an overdose. PharmaNet makes it easy to avoid such mistakes.
3. Enhanced Quality of Care
PharmaNet provides a full view of a patient’s medications, including those prescribed by other healthcare providers.
Important Note: PharmaNet does not yet include medications given in hospitals—a gap that many hope will be addressed soon.
By reviewing this information, dentists can avoid drug interactions and make informed treatment decisions. If you’re unsure about interactions, tools like DentalRx can help.
How to Set Up PharmaNet in 5 Steps
Setting up PharmaNet may seem tricky, but it’s manageable with guidance. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Choose a Software Vendor
Work with an approved PharmaNet software vendor. Options include:
Excelleris: 1-866-728-4777
iClinic Inc.: 604-566-9862
Medinet: medinet.ca
Plexia Electronic Medical Systems Inc.: 604-269-3733
CareConnect: careconnect@phsa.ca
Recommendation:
CareConnect: Known as the "gold standard," but support can be slow.
Medinet: A Vancouver-based provider with excellent customer service and strong integration with dental software.
Step 2: Set Up the BC Services Card App
Download the BC Services Card App to verify your identity. Follow these steps:
Get the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Complete the setup prompts in the app.
Wait 24–48 hours for government verification.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
You will need:
Your clinic’s business license
Organization’s official name (as listed in the BC Corporate Registry)
Mailing address
Regular operating hours
Name of your PharmaNet software provider
Contact details for the PharmaNet Administrator (you)
A technical support contact person
Step 4: Become a Privacy Officer
Learn the rules for using PharmaNet responsibly. Completing this step is necessary to become a certified Privacy Officer and ensure compliance.
Step 5: Submit Your Application via PRIME
Apply through the PRIME website.
Timeline: It usually takes 2–6 weeks to process your application.
After approval, you’ll receive a PharmaNet ID (PID). Your software vendor will handle the final setup, including billing and access. If you choose Medinet, they will make this process seamless.
Final Thoughts
Setting up PharmaNet takes effort, but the benefits make it worthwhile. It helps protect patients, reduce errors, and improve care. By collaborating with pharmacists, dentists can create better healthcare outcomes for everyone.
If you need assistance, DentalRx is here to help. Get in contact with us, or for more information, visit the PRIME website.
PharmaNet empowers dentists to deliver safer, higher-quality care. Start your setup today and make a positive difference for your patients!
Connecting Dentists to PharmaNet: Your Step-by-Step Guide
PharmaNet is a secure system connecting pharmacies across British Columbia with the provincial drug information system. Recently, dentists gained access, allowing them to check patients' medications for potential issues with treatments. This guide will help you set up PharmaNet for your dental clinic. By doing so, you can improve patient safety, reduce errors, and provide better care.
Why Should Dentists Use PharmaNet?
PharmaNet offers many benefits to dentists. Here are the key reasons to use it:
1. Improved Patient Safety
PharmaNet gives dentists accurate information about:
Medication history
Allergies
Drug interactions
This ensures dentists make better prescribing decisions and reduces harmful drug reactions.
Example: Some patients don’t mention taking blood thinners like aspirin. Prescribing NSAIDs such as ibuprofen could cause serious issues like stomach ulcers or heavy bleeding. With PharmaNet, you can check these details beforehand and prevent complications.
2. Fewer Medication Errors
Dentists can review a patient’s medication doses and history before prescribing, reducing errors and ensuring proper treatment.
Example: Many patients take painkillers like acetaminophen. If additional acetaminophen is prescribed without checking, it can lead to an overdose. PharmaNet makes it easy to avoid such mistakes.
3. Enhanced Quality of Care
PharmaNet provides a full view of a patient’s medications, including those prescribed by other healthcare providers.
Important Note: PharmaNet does not yet include medications given in hospitals—a gap that many hope will be addressed soon.
By reviewing this information, dentists can avoid drug interactions and make informed treatment decisions. If you’re unsure about interactions, tools like DentalRx can help.
How to Set Up PharmaNet in 5 Steps
Setting up PharmaNet may seem tricky, but it’s manageable with guidance. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Choose a Software Vendor
Work with an approved PharmaNet software vendor. Options include:
Excelleris: 1-866-728-4777
iClinic Inc.: 604-566-9862
Medinet: medinet.ca
Plexia Electronic Medical Systems Inc.: 604-269-3733
CareConnect: careconnect@phsa.ca
Recommendation:
CareConnect: Known as the "gold standard," but support can be slow.
Medinet: A Vancouver-based provider with excellent customer service and strong integration with dental software.
Step 2: Set Up the BC Services Card App
Download the BC Services Card App to verify your identity. Follow these steps:
Get the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Complete the setup prompts in the app.
Wait 24–48 hours for government verification.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
You will need:
Your clinic’s business license
Organization’s official name (as listed in the BC Corporate Registry)
Mailing address
Regular operating hours
Name of your PharmaNet software provider
Contact details for the PharmaNet Administrator (you)
A technical support contact person
Step 4: Become a Privacy Officer
Learn the rules for using PharmaNet responsibly. Completing this step is necessary to become a certified Privacy Officer and ensure compliance.
Step 5: Submit Your Application via PRIME
Apply through the PRIME website.
Timeline: It usually takes 2–6 weeks to process your application.
After approval, you’ll receive a PharmaNet ID (PID). Your software vendor will handle the final setup, including billing and access. If you choose Medinet, they will make this process seamless.
Final Thoughts
Setting up PharmaNet takes effort, but the benefits make it worthwhile. It helps protect patients, reduce errors, and improve care. By collaborating with pharmacists, dentists can create better healthcare outcomes for everyone.
If you need assistance, DentalRx is here to help. Get in contact with us, or for more information, visit the PRIME website.
PharmaNet empowers dentists to deliver safer, higher-quality care. Start your setup today and make a positive difference for your patients!
