Computerised logging system wins IT award
A computerised call logging system implemented by Queen's Medical Centre pharmacy department, Nottingham, has been awarded a Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists information technology prize sponsored by First DataBank Europe.
The system operates via the hospital’s intranet making it accessible
to both on-call and daytime pharmacy staff.
Malcolm Partridge, clinical director for medicines management and chief
pharmacist, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said that the “on-call
logger” enables the recording of all drug-related issues at night,
and brings important clinical information to the attention of pharmacists
during the day to provide continuity of care.
“This means that risks to patients are reduced since the pharmacist
following up night time problems can ensure that these are dealt with
early the
next day. If there has been a call relating to a patient on your ward
it tells you immediately that there is a problem,” he said.
The system highlights a ward’s on-call issue in red and, once the
issue has been followed up and an action has been logged on the system,
the record turns green. “It is a good audit trail. It means that
everyone is confident that there are no outstanding issues,” explained
Professor Partridge. “It is an efficient recording system and it
promotes best practice in patient care.” He added that senior pharmacy
staff can review how junior pharmacists have dealt with problems out
of hours as part of their diploma training.
“The system has been well received and has attracted widespread
interest from other hospitals,” said Professor Partridge. He told The
Journal that hospitals in Sheffield and Leicester have purchased
the program from them. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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