The Trust is rolling out an electronic prescribing and medicines administration (ePMA) system in a phased approach over the next 12 months. The ePMA system provides a direct computerised link between the wards and departments to the pharmacies.
David Owen, assistant chief pharmacist and ePMA Trust project manager said in this regard: “The aim of the system is to improve the safety and efficiency of healthcare by providing clear and legible prescriptions and assistance in the prescribing process.” He added: “A dedicated team of experts will be rolling out this exciting project which will see prescriptions being ordered electronically for the first time at our three hospitals.”
Debbie Carpenter, a ward manager on one of the two wards that is live with the system said that moving off paper for prescribing is a big step. “This is a very exciting development, which sees the prescribing and administration of medicines moving forward into the technological world of the future when all patient records could be paperless,” she said.
The Trust already uses electronic systems for patient administration, emergency care, pharmacy stock management and clinical screening. It has also developed a portal called WebV. This is a Trust-wide system which covers all diagnostic disciplines, giving clinicians access to information and order communications in a web-based application.
As well as ePrescribing, the Trust is implementing electronic handover, discharge summaries and clinical documentation. All of these modules will be integrated into the WebV portal.
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