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Introduction

Critical Success Factors of e-prescribing Introduction E prescribing is thought to provide number advantages to the medical profession and more specifically the prescribing process once successful implementation has been achieved This short essay will the critical success factors required to achieve success and identify the key benefits that can be realised as a result of e prescribing According to the Audit Commission report entitled 'A Spoon full of Sugar' 1200 patients die each year as a result of prescribing and medication errors. Nick Mapstone, one of the principal authors of the report predicts that as much as 70% of such errors can be eliminated via the use of computerised prescribing systems. But how do we achieve success? Achieving Success: Critical Success Factors Mark Horsely has worked the NHS for many years and has acquired experience in the practical implementation of Electronic prescribing systems. As a clinical manger he helped manage a number of successful electronic prescribing projects. According to Mark the key too improving patient care via the use of computerised clinical systems will mean many problems of the current manual system will be eliminated. For instance obvious problems such as poor handwriting and transcription errors between prescriber and pharmacy are eliminated. The benefits go further than this to the extent that that any credible prescribing solution that meets the demands of EPR in the future will provide full clinical decision support to ensure that the correct drug is given to the correct patient, at the right time. ...read more.

Middle

Bass, "believes doctors, nurses and pharmacy staff have differing views of how medicines should be prescribed and that there needs to be clear understanding that electronic prescribing is a trust wide venture and not purely a pharmacy project. Nottinghamshire demonstrates Stakeholder involvement where the project board is made up of relevant consultants, nurse managers from involved directorates from the Trusts IT department, as well as project managers. Such groups make all major decisions. Pilot Site It is important to select an appropriate pilot site for phasing an electronic prescribing project. This seen as an important critical success factor required ensuring a successful roll-out. The project board at Nottinghamshire for instance, selected an acute psychiatry ward and a community health outpatient's clinic. They believed such would cover a variety of experience, prescription type and prescriber. Another example at Gateshead is where the decision to use a 'true medical ward' was taken. As a result the coronary care unit was selected because it was compact in nature and only three consultant cardiologists largely managed it. When selecting a pilot ward, Mark believes the flow of patients should be analysed. The ward should take admissions directly, not from another ward that is not included in the pilot, else extra workload is created by transcribing the paper drugs charts on the prescribing system. ...read more.

Conclusion

The use of these technologies throughout the whole hospital has revolutionised the use of EPRs for the direct clinical care of patients. As the system is comprehensive most of the data pertaining to patients care is entered on to the system, and is a valuable tool in supporting the care of patients. For instance it is possible to display the patients temperature chart and relate that to antibiotic treatment. Access to nursing notes and clear, complete administration records also make a valuable source of information available to the prescriber. Summary of key benefits according to the British Journal of Healthcare Computing Key benefits of e-prescribing o Improved clarity, completeness and lack of ambiguity allow nurses to administer o Non-ward stock drug supplies are ordered automatically without the need for manual intervention by the nurse o Pharmacists have been able to improve effectiveness through ready access to patients clinical details o Dispensing services can be more timely as it possible to inform pharmacy in real-time about prescriptions o Medical staff are able to prescribe remotely (in theatres) so patients receive medication without delay o Medicines arrive in good time o Medicines information is available which is readily referenced by medical and nursing staff and also facilitates patients education o Allows for efficient records and audit trails, which are available as evidence if required. As a result clear and ambiguous records should ensure that errors are less likely, which will reduce the risk of litigation and fast efficient clinical audit. ...read more.

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