Safer controlled medication prescribing for physicians and pharmacists
Overview
Healthpoint, a Mubadala Health partner, is a premium hospital with three specialty centers – the Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Center, the Dental Clinic and Musculoskeletal Center. Based in Abu Dhabi and accepting patients throughout the UAE and GCC, the hospital provides community care, grounded in the latest internationally recognized medical approaches.
Prescribing of certain medications is something of utmost focus for Healthpoint. In order to further monitor and allow for better and safer prescribing practices, Healthpoint worked with Cerner to develop and launch a controlled medications platform that allows for much easier documentation, faster access to information and better dispensing for patients receiving specific medications. The decision by Healthpoint to produce such a tool is something that exemplifies their commitment to patient safety, better patient care, and transparent and easily accessed information for physicians and pharmacists.
Current state
Before implementation, Healthpoint had to use multiple different systems to prescribe controlled medications, duplicating work efforts for documentation and prescribing. The previous system was unable to perform automated checks for order placement, dispensing details and other elements of medication safety.
The Healthpoint leadership recognized that the system was not ideal for multiple reasons and engaged with their expert clinicians to determine different ways to address the shortcomings. By also utilizing the expertise within Cerner, the two organizations partnered to address the challenges and reduce the duplication of work.
Bolstering the safety of prescribing controlled medications through the reduced use of multiple systems and enhanced transparency of the various steps used within the process is of paramount importance for Healthpoint. Through the partnership with Cerner, Healthpoint was able to successfully satisfy these requirements with the new systems.
Impact
By implementing new functionality within an existing platform, physicians now no longer have to use multiple systems to document and prescribe controlled medications in compliance with national standards. Physicians now just have to search for the controlled medications, fill in required details, and they can prescribe quickly and easily. Since the launch, over 3,500 instances of successful prescribing has occurred, saving time and allowing for much easier and seamless care. The ability to ensure accuracy of controlled medications and how they are dispensed is now easily accessible, enhancing patient safety. Pharmacists are now easily able to see what has been prescribed and whether any other existing prescriptions are in the system for the patients. Also, there is an ability to place a lock on a prescription, so no other pharmacy can dispense said prescription. This enhances patient safety and allows for total transparency in the system. This new functionality has contributed greatly to an enhanced clinician experience and enhanced patient safety, as it relates to prescribing controlled medications via the ability to see all prescriptions and lock them when needed.
-
Key benefits
- Safer and easier method to order controlled medications
- Easily readable and actionable information from reports
- Enhanced Quadruple Aim objective of staff experience
- Safer care for patients
- Efficient use of existing resources and access to actionable information
- Transparent and easy to access information related to prescribing and dispensing of controlled medications
- Realizing benefits from Cerner systems and solutions
Next steps and acknowledgements
The team at Healthpoint and Cerner are actively engaged with continuing the success of this project. By continuing to monitor the progress and engagement with providers, the partnership expects to see further sustained success.
Data demonstrating value in volume of prescriptions
