Welcome to The EPMA Hub – Your Digital Pharmacy Knowledge Base
Prescribing & Administration in EPMA
Introduction
Prescribing and administration are two critical components of the Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) process. Digital prescribing systems ensure that medication orders are accurate, clear, and safely transmitted, while administration tracking helps healthcare professionals ensure the right patient receives the right medication at the right time.
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EPMA plays a crucial role in reducing medication errors, improving efficiency, and supporting safer clinical workflows within hospitals, primary care, and other healthcare settings.
Digital Prescribing:
How It Works
In an EPMA system, prescribing is an electronic process where healthcare professionals:
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Select the correct medication, dose, and route from a standardised digital list.
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Benefit from clinical decision support (CDS) tools, such as dose range checks and allergy alerts.
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Ensure clear, legible, and unambiguous prescriptions, removing the risk of handwriting errors.
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Integrate with national medicine databases (e.g., dm+d in the UK) to standardize drug selection.
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Facilitate communication between prescribers, pharmacists, and nurses, ensuring seamless medicine reconciliation and reviews.
Types of Digital Prescribing Models
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Dose-Based Prescribing
Prescribers enter the dose required per administration
e.g. Paracetamol 1g QDS.
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Product-Based Prescribing
The prescription is linked to a specific brand or formulation
e.g. Paracetamol 500mg Tablets, 2 Tablets QDS.
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Indication-Based Prescribing
The system suggests the most appropriate medication based on the condition being treated.
Medication Administration: Enhancing Patient Safety
Administration in EPMA refers to the recording and verification of medication doses given to patients.
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Key features include:
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Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMARs)
Digital logs tracking each medication given.
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Barcode Scanning for Closed-Loop Medication Administration (CLMA)
Ensures the correct match between patient, medication, and time.
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Real-Time Alerts & Task Reminders
Notifies nurses when medication is due or if a dose is missed.
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Audit Trails
Tracks who administered the medication and when, ensuring accountability.
Key Benefits of Digital Medication Administration:
✅ Reduces the risk of medication omission or duplication.
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✅ Provides a clear, real-time overview of medication status.
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✅ Improves compliance with national safety initiatives and protocols.
Challenges & Considerations
While EPMA significantly enhances safety, some key challenges need addressing:
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Alert Fatigue
Too many alerts can lead to users ignoring important warnings.
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System Downtime & Business Continuity
Ensuring prescribing and administration workflows remain operational during technical failures.
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Training & Change Management
Healthcare staff require training to fully utilise EPMA functionalities without disrupting workflows.
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Interoperability with Other Systems
EPMA must integrate smoothly with EPR, pharmacy systems, and national e-prescribing frameworks.
The Future of Digital Prescribing & Administration
EPMA systems continue to evolve with advancements in:
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Artificial Intelligence & Automation
AI-driven prescribing recommendations and predictive analytics to prevent errors.
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Integration with National & Regional Systems
Better linking with GP Connect, EPS (Electronic Prescription Service), and patient records.
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Smart Medication Technologies
Such as automated dispensing cabinets and robot assisted medication administration.
Summary
Digital prescribing and administration are core functions of EPMA, ensuring medication safety, accuracy, and efficiency in healthcare. As technology advances, EPMA systems will continue to play a crucial role in reducing medication errors, supporting clinicians, and enhancing patient care.
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