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eKASPER a technological success story for Kentucky CHFS' Office of Inspector General Touts Improved Prescription Drug TrackingSystem; A First for Kentucky and the Nation Contact: Janis Stewart 502/564-6786, ext. 3326 or Robert J. Benvenuti, III 502/564-2888 FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 16, 2005) - The Cabinet for Health and FamilyServices' Office of Inspector General today unveiled its enhanced Web-based,state-operated database that is used to identify and prevent controlledsubstance abuse in Kentucky. This makes Kentucky the first state in thenation to provide a self-service Web-based system for tracking all scheduleII-V prescription drugs. The Enhanced Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reportingprogram, known as eKASPER, is a true technological success story forKentucky. "eKASPER will allow pharmacists, physicians, law enforcement andother qualified users to get KASPER reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekwithin 15 minutes or less of making a request, compared to the current faxonly request system that can take from 2 hours to 3 weeks to issue areport," says CHFS' Inspector General Robert J. Benvenuti, III. "eKASPER isthe most effective and efficient tool ever implemented to combatprescription drug abuse in Kentucky. Its benefit will be immediate andpowerful and have an incredibly positive impact on the citizens of theCommonwealth." Approximately 1,300 pharmacies across the state -- most of themelectronically -- report all controlled substances they dispense throughthis system. During the year 2000, there were 36,174 requests for information fromKASPER; in 2004 that number jumped to 122,469 requests. Before KASPER, ittook drug control investigators an average of 156 days to complete aninvestigation of alleged drug diversion. Under KASPER, the average timedropped to 16 days. With eKASPER it's expected to drop further, plusprovide improved accuracy of data reported. "We commend the 2003 General Assembly for appropriating $1.4M andCongressman Hal Rogers for the $350,000 grant that allowed us to bringeKASPER to life as a real time data access program. Likewise, we aresincerely grateful to all the individuals who have dedicated their expertiseand time in the development and implementation of the eKASPER project," saidDr. James W. Holsinger, Jr., Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and FamilyServices. "Literally, a physician or pharmacist can review the database 24hours a day, 7 days a week, and print a report online in just a few minuteswhile the patient is still waiting for the prescription." KASPER started in 1999 KASPER began operating in 1999. The system tracks all schedule II-V drugsdispensed by licensed Kentucky pharmacists. It was developed to helpphysicians, pharmacists and law enforcement fight "doctor shopping" - whenpatients go from doctor to doctor illegally seeking controlled substances,and the illegal diversion of these substances. Under the leadership of Dr. Holsinger, the program, administered by the DrugEnforcement and Professional Practices Branch (DEPPB), moved in 2004 fromthe Department of Public Health to the Office of Inspector General'sDivision of Fraud, Waste and Abuse/Identification and Prevention. UnderKASPER, pharmacists must report all controlled substances within 16 days ofthe day the drug was given to the patient. The information is kept in asecure database and is confidential, as are other medical records. Althoughover 20 states presently have similar prescription monitoring programs, nostate provides a self-service, Web-based system such as the one nowavailable in Kentucky. Authorized health care providers who previously suspected abuse requested apatient's controlled substance history through KASPER by faxing or mailing aform to the DEPPB seeking the information, with the turnaround no fasterthan several hours. Now they can access the information on their computersin about 15 minutes, potentially while patients and customers are present intheir offices. KASPER provides the dates, amounts, pharmacy locations andprescribing physicians for any controlled substances given to a patient. "The eKASPER system is a great crime fighting tool that police officers canuse to help curtail the illegal use and spread of certain prescription drugsin Kentucky," said Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence, Secretary of the Justiceand Public Safety Cabinet. "This real time, Web-based tool is designed toprevent doctor shopping by drug addicts. Instead of waiting days for areport, officers can have it in a matter of minutes. A quick turnaround timewill aid officers in the apprehension of offenders." State law also allows law enforcement agencies to seek data from eKASPER ifthey are investigating a criminal case. For more information on eKASPER, contact the Drug Enforcement andProfessionals Practices Branch at 502/564-7985 or visithttp://chfs.ky.gov/oig/dfwaip.htm . This story was posted on 2005-03-16 20:30:11
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