Nursing
Part 1: The interview Transcript
- Interview the pharmacist using the questions; please provide a transcript of the interview in this part.
- What type of technology (technologies) does your pharmacy utilize?
Our pharmacy utilizes electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS). EPCS, or electronic prescribing of controlled substances, is the computerized sending of restricted drug prescriptions to a pharmacy. To improve safety and confidentiality, we recommend drafting and submitting restricted drug medications digitally. Pharmacists are authorized by law to accept, administer, and record computerized prescriptions given to them by the physician. We also utilize the Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP). Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) remain amongst the best effective state-level approaches for improving opioid prescriptions, informing medical practices, and protecting vulnerable individuals.
How does the technology you use enhance internal and external communications between pharmacists, technicians, physicians, advanced medical care providers, and nurses?
This contributes to increased client safety. This enables my staff members and me to ensure that the client is just prescribed a regulated drug once a month and aids in the regulation of unauthorized prescribing drugstores. This is an excellent safety database that helps us to detect clients who receive opioids from several practitioners.
Describe the process from the time the pharmacy receives an order to the time the medication is dispensed?
The first thing we do when we receive an order is that we make sure that it is accurate. We must ensure that we can interpret and comprehend the prescriptions and that the dose is not uncommon for the client. We then ensure that the containers are prepared and labeled. If it’s a liquid prescription, we transfer it into a new container. We possess a counting instrument for capsules and tablets, or it can be performed manually while wearing protective gloves. We have to ensure that there are no sensitivities or contraindications, and then we print counselling paperwork to offer the client all prescription instructions. We then offer consultation when they come to pick up their prescriptions.
What are some of the processes or policies that are implemented to ensure patient safety?
We ensure that the medication is ordered correctly, that the dosage is appropriate, and that the client is given the proper instructions. In addition, we look for sensitivities and drug combinations.
What challenges related to the use of technology and electronic information have you experienced? What solutions have you implemented, or changes have you made in your practice to address these challenges?
One of the main challenges we face through the use of electronic information is software challenges. Furthermore, because they need human recording and updating of medications, as well as possible follow-up with practitioners to remedy shortages, inaccuracies, or dearth of clarification, these style aspects may lead to operational issues. Also, we face disruptions in the delivery of newer prescriptions, leading to client dissatisfaction and longer waiting periods, as customers may appear at the pharmacies before an order has been processed. One of the measures that we have put in place is the invention of e-prescription to ensure quality service delivery. The other measure is that we have employed IT professionals to assist in limiting the software insufficiencies.
How has informatics helped and/or hindered patient education and awareness?
It has aided me as a pharmacist by ensuring client safety and the efficacy of drug prescriptions.
Part 2: Integrate the findings from a literature
Perform research on the type of technology (the type of platform used, equipment used to document, or applications used, etc.).
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) created both the EPCS and the PDMPs for prescriptions tracking. These inventions have faced increased advancement since they were developed—both technologies aid in ensuring safety and monitoring regulated medication prescriptions.
Select two academic articles to support your discussion for part 3: Summarize what you have learned.
According to several publications I’ve read regarding electronic controlled substance administration and prescription medication tracking systems, many countries are making EPCS compulsory (Opioid abuse: Fighting back with EPCS and PDMP, 2020). PDMP aids in the management of the opioid pandemic by identifying individuals who may require addiction treatment or who are at risk of becoming addicted. An excellent strategy to combat this sickness is with the assistance of a pharmacist. Innovative technologies are getting accessible, which means that the opioid/controlled substance misuse loop is breaking. This aids in prescription counterfeiting, monitors clients and recognizes when and where they have got medications. Innovative technologies are the finest treatment for combating this dreadful disease (State Mandates Driving EPCS and PDMP Utilization, 2021).
Part 3:
Summarize what you have learned by explaining both the positive and negative aspects of the technology used by the pharmacist you interviewed.
We discussed all of the technological breakthroughs. Computerized administration systems used in institutions, prescription medication tracking systems, and pharmaceutical prescription administration are some of the major breakthroughs discussed during the interview. Pharmacies can now check at a client’s medications, renew information, contraindications, and medications filled at by other pharmacists using modern technologies.
All of modern technology’s advantages outweigh its disadvantages. The only disadvantage is that pharmacists and their technicians will have to train about the modern system, which will take some time initially but will be highly beneficial in the long run (Ducker, 2013). As a country, we must make more attempts and develop innovative technologies to enhance the protection and wellness of our residents. A pharmacist’s profession can be extremely challenging; they work lengthy periods, have enormous work pressure, and face expectations over which they have little influence, such as pharmaceutical pricing. It can also be fulfilling in terms of assisting with sickness management, decent income, and a sense of accomplishment.
References
Ducker, M. (2013, August 20). Pros and cons of E-prescribing in community pharmacies. U.S. Pharmacist – The Leading Journal in Pharmacy. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/pros-and-cons-of-e-prescribing-in-community-pharmacies-42392
Opioid abuse: Fighting back with EPCS and PDMP. (2020, March 10). eMDs. https://emds.com/opioid-abuse-fighting-back-with-epcs-and-pdmp/?fbclid=IwAR3LA4ov-bp6D099HkkQLXVnT1dvEsaGHsoUlBq6dVc2pJoh1jC6HnbT2qE
Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). (2021, June 23). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdmp/index.html
State Mandates Driving EPCS and PDMP Utilization. (2021, February 9). first. https://drfirst.com/resources/regulatory-mandates/?
Leave a Reply