King Amongst Members
Yes that is what I was told too. Back in the quill pen days, we hand-wrote in copperplate 'to be taken', then the 'experts' told us that the passive voice (yes, that's the grammatical term for it) wasn't emphatic enough and we should give a direct order 'Take'.Originally Posted by DavidS
I must say it does give a sharper looking label, but I doubt if it has much impact on patients, although if your first language isn't English it might be easier to understand.
Newly registered in 1981
I vaguely remember a case when a medcine labelled 2.5ml was interpreted as 2 x 5ml by some maths teacher.
We must also remember that 2.5ml does not have a decimal point in it because the point should be half way up the 5.
To labour it - computers don't do decimal points they do full-stops.
I always label in spoons and mls in case a patient is measuring in a cup.
Take Three 5ml spoonfuls (or 15ml in a measure) three times a day. would be an example.
It saves the 'old dear' or 'old chap' from having a swig out of the bottle if you give them a measure.
Back in my 'own' pharmacy we used to order cheap measuring cups to give out to adults instead of spoons if they preferred the cup.
Final comment.
EPSR2 : I've noticed that some systems just pipe the directions through to the label so you get exactly what the GP wrote.
"Take 2 4 times a day if req" is quite common on scripts in one area on paracetamol.
I've noticed that you can set up 'trusted directions' in cedgedims Pharmacy Manager that allows you to translate some of these into better worded directions.
Take 2 4 times a day if req is configured to translate to Take Two tablets up to four times a day if required.
Never underestimate the power of the public to misinterprete simple directions.
The musich hall joke of "Take in water" springs to mind with the answer "how deep". <g>
Everyone else in healthcare seems to be "so rushed" and "busy" that it is left to us to do things properly.
Anyway - as RP its your watch, your decision and your accountability.
Where am I?; In the Pharmacy.
Who are you?; The new Number 2.
Who is number 1?; You are number 6.
What do you want?;..................
King Amongst Members
Yes they do 2ˇ5ml or even 2˝ml.To labour it - computers don't do decimal points they do full-stops.
With EPSr2 on Proscript you have the option to repeat a previous script if the drugs are the same so that you don't have to rekey the doses. Odd that one of the supposed benefits to accuracy and patient safety and a benefit to dispensing sites (no need to rekey the data!!) is one of the worst "features" of the systems.
Newly registered in 1981
I stand correct about decimal points and fractions.Yes they do 2ˇ5ml or even 2˝ml.
With EPSr2 on Proscript you have the option to repeat a previous script if the drugs are the same so that you don't have to rekey the doses. Odd that one of the supposed benefits to accuracy and patient safety and a benefit to dispensing sites (no need to rekey the data!!) is one of the worst "features" of the systems.
What contortions are required to do them?
Does EPSR2 increase clinical safety?
In some ways yes, but in others NO!
False sense of security springs to mind!
Who has released the script - a receptionist with the wrong role on her smartcard?
That can NEVER happen.
Where am I?; In the Pharmacy.
Who are you?; The new Number 2.
Who is number 1?; You are number 6.
What do you want?;..................
Registered Pharmacist
I don't remember there being anything about spoonfuls, but I do remember learning the specifications of HEPA filters off by heart and memorising lists of equations for calculating the flow of liquids. Guess what to put on labels just wasn't really important enough to squeeze into the syllabus. And for all you aspiring pharmacy students, I'm talking 2006-2010, so be prepared to mostly waste your time for 4 years. I relished the small nuggets of relevance.
King Amongst Members
Doesn't the label need to say what the (responsible) pharmacists wants it to say and with which they are happy with?
King Amongst Members
That was my undestanding!
Newly registered in 1981
I'm wondering why we have to repeat from history in EPSR2?Yes they do 2ˇ5ml or even 2˝ml.
With EPSr2 on Proscript you have the option to repeat a previous script if the drugs are the same so that you don't have to rekey the doses. Odd that one of the supposed benefits to accuracy and patient safety and a benefit to dispensing sites (no need to rekey the data!!) is one of the worst "features" of the systems.
Most of our PMR suppliers have gone in this direction - just seems odd.
But - why worry only another 8,000 scripts to do before end of November.
Where am I?; In the Pharmacy.
Who are you?; The new Number 2.
Who is number 1?; You are number 6.
What do you want?;..................
King Amongst Members
The specification designed by CfH does not include standardisation of dosages so dr's surgery systems still allow the receptionist or doctor to submit prescriptions with any old rubbish in the dosage. Because the message is the legal entity Pharmacies are obliged to dispense from the original message and so have to retype the dosage every time. The only way round this is to repeat the dosage from the information already stored on the PMR system. This of course is contrary to the "benefit to dispensers" of not having to rekey data. It also causes problems when person creating the script puts "Autohaler" or "Preservative free" in as a dose rather than selecting the correct DM+D product.I'm wondering why we have to repeat from history in EPSR2?
On the plus side there is a good chance that we will be paid for 120 Seretide inhalers for each one we dispense.
Moderator
Yes the dose is one place where they can free type. Often used for SLS, OC etc. Will cause problems when used to actually describe product required.
johnep
Posting Permissions
4Likes
Reply With Quote