The Future of Electronic Prescribing in Mental Health
Electronic prescribing is a key element of the NHS's paperless initiative, aiming to improve accuracy and efficiency in medication management for mental health patients. Benefits include increased safety, reduced errors, and better communication between healthcare providers. However, challenges such as costs, technology infrastructure, and security need to be addressed. Mental health services have unique considerations due to cross-trust boundaries and community-based care, requiring tailored electronic prescribing systems.
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Electronic prescribing in mental health Peter Pratt Chief Pharmacist Sheffield health & social care NHS FT Trust Peter.pratt@shsc.nhs.uk
Disclosure statement NHS only source of income No interest or relationships with any companies of agents associated with EPS/EPMA Content and views entirely personal
Jeremy HuntHealth Secretary announced on 15 January 2013 that the NHS is to become paperless by 2018 and focused on electronic prescribing as a key element of this approach. Today I want to argue that we need to go much further, much faster. So today I am setting a new ambition for the NHS.I want it to become paperless by 2018. The most modern digital health service in the world. Patients will be at the heart of this change
Language IS important Key Question What IS electronic prescribing EVERYONE needs to speak same language Do you mean ? Electronic paper systems Electronic transfer of prescriptions GP system producing paper prescriptions GP system producing electronic prescriptions in pharmacy A Hospital system producing paper orders A system of prescribing & administration that is fully integrated within the patient clinical record
Benefits of EPS Barn Door Well established across most health care domains Legibility no more scribbles to decipher Drug names Doses Signatures
Electronic prescribing Perceived benefits Increased safety in prescribing and monitoring prescriptions, and warning about possible conflicts in treatment communicating for health 2004 Reduces medication errors prevents drug interactions prevents inappropriate dose prevents wrong drug use ...formularies.. prevents unreadable prescriptions no need for paper eg drug cards Never loose drug cards ( but system can be down!) Perceived problems Costs probably not cost saving Technology infrastructure (wires) Passwords & security Digital signatures
Is mental health any different? Not aware of a best fit MH system EITHER Hospital /secondary care in patient system GP based system Increasing MH services not bed based Many MH services cross trust boundaries Multiple PAS systems Most MH patients community Patients less likely to be discharged cf moved across boundaries community teams
MH Not unique but.. Prescribing depots at a glance Multiple leave prescriptions Multiple delayed administrations May take time to convince patient to accept Community teams Prescription/prescribing vs complete record of medication Wireless/mobile technology
Cannot consider EPS / EPMA in Isolation Back up arrangements ? IT 24 hour support Is it software or hardware/network Is it pharmacy or prescribers problems Battery back up means system closes People issues The system works when it doesn t The system makes mistakes people don t!!
People are key to success IT & Pharmacy Technician support vital
Is the end goal paperless? Does affordable technology exists to support complete paperless systems The dispensary process Robots unlikely to be viable option for MH Selecting /picking medication affordable alternatives to printing Sending/transmitting prescription/orders to pharmacy Requisitions vs prescriptions What is the plan when it goes down how long for 10min 1 hour 5 hours a day Restoring prescribing/dispensing data after shutdown Planned maintenance most MH pharmacy not 24/7
Practical issues How to work within MDT who controls the mouse who sits where / Wireless Using LCD projectors how many EPS & Electronic records ?NOISE Simultaneous access to records IT infrastructure in mental health organisation 24 hour support, off site units etc Working across trusts
Key issues for MH Seamless information flows across boundaries of care In Patient community primary care acute trust Between prescribing system - electronic records system and laboratory systems What about FP10HP Working for other Trusts Interface with paper/electronic clinical notes Joined up system Vs best separate system
Quotes The system is autistic its easy once you realise You can still harm a patient with a computer You can read it (cf paper) but that doesn t mean to say its right. Doctors love not having to re-write ( prescribing is for ever!) I (Sally) love it JAC is more than prescribing (dispensing & stock control)
