Leveraging Data to Combat the Opioid Epidemic and Keep Patients Safe

The future of information sharing is complex.

In a recent op-ed in Morning Consult, Surescripts’ CEO Tom Skelton shared his thoughts on how collaboration and trust are key to building a safe health care system while shining a light on how health data is helping to combat the opioid epidemic.

“You don’t have to be personally touched by the opioid crisis to understand the gravity of the statistics, let alone the immeasurable and lasting impact it is having on society. This can be addressed by better harnessing the power of data to stem this crisis,” he said.

He continued, “But, the future of information sharing is complex and requires government, industry and advocates to collaborate. There needs to be a shared regulatory and standards-based framework that enables the free flow of health care information and at the same time keeps secure this highly sensitive, personal health information that doctors depend on to care for patients.”

In the op-ed, Tom states “By providing tools to tackle fraud and misuse while ensuring the security of prescription drugs, the industry is now assuming new responsibilities for building trust across the health care system. Health care professionals and their patients need to know that everyone handling this sensitive information is taking steps to safeguard it.”

Read the full article “Here’s How Health Data Can Help Stem the Opioid Crisis,” and learn more about our efforts to safeguard patient data.