Ohio’s colleges and universities now have access to a new training program designed to simulate the use of the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, known as the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS). The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy (SOBP) announced the release of “OARRS Academy,” a demonstration system designed to educate students in healthcare professions on the process and value of including OARRS as part of the professional decision-making process.
“OARRS Academy, the first of its kind in the United States, provides Ohio students with an important training tool that simulates the real-world experience of using OARRS,” said SOBP Executive Director Steven W. Schierholt. “Now, more than ever, we must engage students in the healthcare field on the importance of using OARRS to address prescription drug misuse and abuse.”
Ohio has prioritized the use of OARRS to promote the responsible prescribing of opioids and other controlled substance medications. This includes ensuring compliance with Ohio laws and rules requiring prescribers and pharmacists to check the system and the seamless integration of OARRS with healthcare providers’ electronic record systems. As a result of these efforts, Ohio prescribers and pharmacists used OARRS to request more than 88 million patient reports in 2017, an increase of 4,900% since 2011.
OARRS Academy comes pre-loaded with data for a variety of sample patients and allows for the creation of additional sample patients. This tool is available at no cost to all Ohio colleges and universities engaged in the training of pharmacists and prescribers.
To assist faculty and students in utilizing OARRS Academy, the SOBP has developed a website that includes resources and downloads to maximize the use of the system and instructions on how to obtain access.