82 Timely Prescribing of Regular Medications in General Surgery

Abstract

Abstract Aim It’s crucial that regular medications are prescribed in a timely manner for hospital inpatients. Missed or delayed doses of critical medications (insulin, anti-parkinsonian medication, antiepileptics and steroids) can compromise patient safety. This audit, with two closed-loop cycles, aimed to improve prescribing on surgical wards. Method Data was gathered from >48 adult non-elective general surgery patients pre- and post-intervention with four outcomes measured, listed in results. Data was re-collected after one month and the cycle repeated one year later. Interventions: Results Average time for prescribing regular medications improved from 13hrs to 11.2hrs in the first cycle and 22.5hrs to 13.1hrs in the second cycle. Percentage of patients with critical medications prescribed on admission improved by 50% in the first cycle and remained at 100% pre- and post-intervention in the second cycle. Percentage of patients who missed medication due to delayed prescribing reduced by 11% in the first cycle and 16% in the second cycle. Percentage of patients who had regular medications prescribed before pharmacy medicines reconciliation improved by 9% in the first cycle and 28% in the second cycle. Conclusions In both cycles, all measurements experienced improvements. Largest improvements were in the 2nd cycle with the addition of educational posters. SCR access improves ability to prescribe regular medications. Educational posters act as effective visual aids. Both can be recommended.