An in depth investigation into causes of prescribing errors by foundation trainees in relation their medical education. EQUIP study (3rd December 2009)Prescribing errors in hospitals could be reduced if a standardised prescription chart was introduced in all UK hospitals, according to research commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC).
An in-depth study into the causes and prevalence of prescribing errors made by Foundation Year 1 doctors (first year foundation trainees) has found that prescription errors are not solely, or even primarily, a problem of the most junior trainees and that doctors at all levels, including consultants, make mistakes.
The five main targets for interventions to improve patient safety by minimising prescribing errors are:
- clinical working environments
- undergraduate medical education programmes
- Foundation Year 1 education
- Other parts of the medical education continuum
- Interprofessional education
Press Release
Report
Allied health professions prescribing and medicines supply mechanisms scoping project report (10th August 2009)A report of an initial piece of work to determine if there is an evidence base for further work to extend prescribing and medicines supply mechanisms by allied health professions. The report makes recommendations for future phased work.
Report
Prescribing savings in 2008 (12th May 2009)In 2007, the National Audit Office (NAO) published Prescribing costs in primary care, which was accompanied by a table setting out potential savings that Primary Care Trust (PCT) could achieve. At the end of 2008 NAO commissioned Keele University's Department of Medicines Management to calculate the actual savings achieved. PCTs, in England, achieved total savings in 2008 of £394 million.
Information
What you need to know about prescribing, the 'drugs bill' and medicines management. A guide for all NHS managers (December 2008)This document is intended to be a readily accessible quick reference guide which will enable all NHS managers to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of medicines usage. In addition it highlights areas in which they may wish to take action, working with colleagues involved in prescribing and medicines management, within their own and partner organisations. I know it will be useful to you in developing and delivering services involving the use of medicines.
Document
Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) guidelines for LCP Drug Prescribing in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (9th June 2008)
Prescribing guidelines to ensure best practice in the care of kidney patients during the last weeks or days of their lives. Part of the LCP programme to extend LCP to kidney disease. The guidelines were developed by an expert project group, overseen by the LCP Renal Steering Group, and have been endorsed by the Department of Health, the Renal Association and the British Renal Society.
Click here for the Guidelines
Making connections: using healthcare professionals to deliver organisational improvements (1st May 2008)
Nurse and pharmacist prescribing is a valuable tool to deliver patient care in a variety of settings. Many nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers manage their own caseloads including in dedicated clinics - helping patients to manage long-term conditions' or by treating one-off episodes of care in GP Practices or in Walk-in Centres and in Accident and Emergency Departments. To help the NHS understand how Non-Medical Prescribing can help to deliver services, the Department of Health commissioned Primary Care Contracting to produce 6 Nurse Prescribing and 6 Pharmacist Prescribing case studies.
Click here for the Document
