[danans]

> If a system reviews incoming medication refill requests from patients, evaluates protocols, and determines that a refill should be approved who does is listed as the authorizing provider for the purpose of the pharmacy and the patient's insurance?

If this system has really done all this work that presumably would have otherwise been done by a provider, what's the harm in presenting the recommendation to a doctor or pharmacist for final approval?

I'd think that it's important to get a trained professional to apply their experience to the final decision, which is perhaps why there is an "authorizing provider" field in the first place.

[jcowdy]

Yes, definitely an option although eventually the volume of "final approval" items will stack up. Another option could be to allow items that pass protocols for non-controlled substances to be approved by nursing staff. Conversations like this are exactly what need to take place for each item on the provider's plate.