>From: "Jeff Green" <[log in to unmask]>
A system oriented review there...

0.  It should be made as easy as possible for the patient or their rep
to determine what is the drug that is intended to be repeated, etc, and
communicate this in a clear unambiguous way to the practice, using th
eleast amount of the cheapest time in the most asymchronous fashion
achievable.

>Here's a quick summary of Zermanskys points.
>What makes a good repeat prescribing system? (After Zermansky)
>1.	Prescriptions should be prepared with  accuracy and attention to
>details
>of the prescribed drug to minimise the potential for error and mistakes
>2.	There should be a recall system within the overall repeat prescribing
>policy that is clear to staff, doctors and patients alike and flexible
>to
>meet the clinical needs.
2.5 The recall system should overide itself, reset itself, or remind
doctors and sometimes nurses to review repeats earlier than they
otherwise would be recalled, if the patient is to hand at the time.
2.6 if there is not time to do so it should not make a fuss about it.
>3.	There should be a clear clinical record of what drugs the patients is
>currently taking and when the supply was last obtained.
3.5  Nobody, including often the patient knows what they are taking.
3.6  It would be nice to know what was dispensed, and to have this
linked to the prescribing data for the patient.
3.7  the best the system will do at present is to say what the doctor
wants the patient to take, or have available to take etc.

>4.	The system used in the practice should be efficient, user friendly
>and
>cost effective.
>5.	There should be a built in quality assurance mechanism within the
>repeat
>prescribing system to monitor over prescribing, under prescribing and
>review
>of prescribing.
>6.	There should be a means of checking a patient's compliance with the
>prescribed treatment.
COunting quantity and rate of supplu of FP10s anyway
>7.	All prescriptions should be reviewed and signed by a doctor who
>either
>knows the patient or has direct access to the patient's clinical record.
>8.	Drugs prescribed within the repeat prescribing system are to be
>ordered
>by the patient or their representative.
8.5 it saves a lot of effort hassle and not a little confusion if the
real regualr ought to be repeated ones are printed automatically just
in time, because that can be programmed to happen when the right doctor
is around and ready to sign them, and th e ones not picked up can then
be investigated as indicated, and remved from the record of treatment
(but not th eaudit trail/event log of course)
8.6  MicroTest is a **star performer ** at this, to the delight of the
West Devon/Cornwall majority.
8.7  Weirdly, according to the advertising blurb, EMIS does this but
doesn't print a date oin the FP10.
       ** why not guys, share the logic, Sean, please **

>9.	The repeat prescribing system should be flexible to meet both the
>needs
>of patients and the surgery. The standard acceptable time scale between
>ordering and collecting a repeat prescription should be clear to staff,
>doctors, patients and local pharmacies.


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