e-Scripts for discharged patients now at Armadale

Armadale Health Service (AHS) has rolled out an eMedication Clinical workbench system for dispensing inpatient discharge medications using electronic prescriptions (eScripts).

In just one week, more than 1,000 eScripts were issued via the new Statewide system from the medical wards (392 eScripts), the Emergency Department (510) and Outpatient Clinics (127).

In a collaboration between clinicians and hospital pharmacists, patients being discharged now have their medications supplied through trackable printed or electronic scripts.

At AHS, the system using the eMedication Clinical workbench was trialled in ED and Outpatient Clinics and is now being used in the inpatient wards.

Dr Saish Neppalli, AHS Medical Administration Registrar Lead, said the new system offered several advantages over the conventional paper prescription process.

"Prescribing discharge medication is now more efficient. There is no looking for the paper script pad, and prescribing reference links and history are just one click away,” he said.

“The system enhances patient safety by recording patient allergies, medication lists and prescriptions all in one location for sharing with patients via SMS or email."

He said clinicians can now:

• Provide electronic or printed paper scripts
• Easily add, change and cease medications
• View current medications and scripts issued from all WA Health sites
• View prescribing history
• Complete and electronically send scripts for offsite patients for telehealth appointments
• Resend eScripts via SMS/email when required
• View allergies/adverse reactions and receive warning if there are prescribing conflicts.

Staff looking for assistance can contact the clinical system support officer by email or visit the Electronic Prescribing hub.

Pharmacists Gina Heart and Kathy Le act on requests from clinicians, using the new system.