Module 6, Technology & innovation in community pharmacy

Question 1

What is ETP (Electronic transfer of prescriptions)?

Answer 1

• the safe & secure transfer of prescription information between a prescriber (doctor, specialist, dentist, optometrist, nurse practitioner) and a community pharmacy using an electronic system known as a Prescription Exchange services (PES)
• there are currently 2 PES systems operating in Australia- eRx Script Exchange and MediSecure. each PES has been approved by the commonwealth and is required to meet specific standards relating to security and privacy. A pharmacy or medical practice may be connected to one or both PES systems

Question 2

What is the process of ETP?

Answer 2

• the GP prescribes medication & prints the prescription with a barcose
• at the same time the prescription info is sent to a PES
• the patient takes the script to the pharmacy of their choice
• if the pharmacy is using ETP, the pharmacist scans the barcode and this will download the script the patient info safely and securely
• pharmacists completes dispensing process and provides medication to the patient

Question 3

What are the benefits of ETP?

Answer 3

• ensures that medicines info can be accurately & securely shared
• risk of prescription transcription errors is reduced
• significant time & workflow efficiences improvements for pharmacies, therefore more time can be directed to patient counselling for other health outcomes- centred activities

Question 4

What is PES interoperability

Answer 4

• all electronic prescription barcodes should be able to be read regardless of the dispensing system or ETP provider the pharmacy uses
• this means all electronic prescription barcoes from ETP enabled pharmacies will allow the scanning of the prescription details and this be interoperable
• registering and using a pES is an important pre-requisite for sending dispense info to the My Health Record (MHR) system

Question 5

Barcode scanning process…

Answer 5

• pharmacists should use barcode scanners when dispensing medicines in pharmacies and pharmacy departments
• they’re an aid to minimise selection errors but not a substitute for other checking procedures
• guidance for dispensing machines
  
  • PSA Professional Practice Standard 5: dispensing
  • the society of hospital pharmacists of Australias standards of practice for hospital pharmacy outpatient
  • the pharmaceutical defence limited (PDL) and australian journal of pharmacys (AJP) guide to good dispensing
• 1 error per 1000 items dispensed; WITHOUT barcode scanning
• reduces the rate of product selection errors
• barcode scanning detects errors associated with
  
  • incorrect product selection
  • incorrect assembly e.g. applying the incorrect label to the product
  • who should scan? the person completingthe final stages of dispensing i.e. the person “attaching the label”
  • does not prevent data entry errors
  • pharmacist can also experience “alert fatigue”

Question 7

What is a dispensing robot?

Answer 7

• large storage containers that are computer controlled using a touch screen interface
• they work much the same way vending machines do, a robotic arm selects a product from a defined shelf position and delivers it to the pharmacist or techinician for labelling

Question 8

What are some of the advantages of dispensing robots?

Answer 8

• speed; faster service, decreases the time it takes to dispense a script
• safety; similar med names or packaging can easily be confused or incorrectly selected by pharmacy staff, automated machines don’t have this problem
• patient care; pharmacists has time to take to patient about their medication, address possible interactions and answer questions to improve patient QOL; time for immunisations & health screenings
• security; meds are securely locked in automated dispensing machines, & all dispensed medication are tracked by the machines software
  
  • only certain staff members are trained on how to use, open & restock the machines, reducing the potential of medication theft or human error
• problems can still arise with robots if the software or robot breaks down or special trained staff are not available. mistakes can still occur is script info is entered incorrectly

Question 9

What is telehealth?

Answer 9

• uses video conferencing to deliver health care services where doctor & patient are physically separated
• some of these services allow people to gain a medical cert or script without even directly speaking to a Dr- just fill out an online questionnaire that is reviewed by a Dr Behind the scenes
• e.g. instant consult offers 24/7, gp2u
• consultation is based on time spent with the doctore, after which they may provide diagnosis, treatment plans, prescriptions, medical certificates and specialist referrals
• gp2u charged an average of $50-69 for a 15min consult
• medicare only provides a rebate for telehealth to a limited number of patients who live in certain remote locations & then & then only if they’re seeing a specialist