Prescribing

92% of practices had risks associated with prescribing.

Common issues:

• No repeat prescribing protocol.
• No designated receptionist to record or generate repeat prescriptions.
• Reception staff allowed to add medication to the computer – acute and repeat medications.
• Medication reviews undertaken on an ad hoc basis. No review dates set.
• No system for recalling patients on long-term medication.
• Uncollected prescriptions are destroyed. It is not known what happens to prescriptions not collected from the pharmacy.

Case

When undertaking a home visit, Dr F handwrites a prescription. On his return to the practice, he does not always remember to add the drugs prescribed during the visit onto the computer. This results in an incomplete medication history.

Risk advice

Ensure that after home visits, all handwritten prescriptions are entered onto the computer.