Prescriptions

Policy

We follow person-centred prescribing principles to ensure prescribing is safe and effective, guided by the Principles for Quality and Safe Prescribing Practice.

The Principles for Quality and Safe Prescribing Practice have been developed collectively by the seven authorities who regulate prescribers, including the Medical Council of New Zealand, Nursing Council of New Zealand, and Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

All prescriptions must be authorised by a prescriber, who meets the standards for prescribing from their relevant professional body. Legal responsibility for all prescribed medications remains with the prescriber.

We use electronic prescribing that meets the legal requirements of an ePrescription. Documentation includes all information required by the Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health.

The prescriber enters the prescription details into the patient record in Medtech and creates a unique barcode which is printed on the prescription form, then given to the patient. The prescription is directly sent to the patient's preferred pharmacy from the PMS via NZePS. When the patient presents their prescription at the pharmacy the barcode is matched before dispensing.

Eprescriptions downloaded from NZePS at the pharmacy are accepted as original documents.

See also HealthPathways and NZ Formulary.

Audits

To maintain and improve prescribing knowledge and skills, we audit;

• repeat prescriptions - Every 12 months, we do a repeat prescription audit as outlined in the Quality Improvement Plan checking a sample of patients who are currently taking long-term medication, for each prescriber. Our audit differentiates between Māori and non-Māori.
• prescribing patterns - the clinical team assesses prescribing patterns compared to regional/national equivalents using tools such as:
  • bpac audit data
  • Atlas of Healthcare Variation maps graphs, charts, and commentaries
  • PHO audit reports
  • EPiC (He Ako Hiringa)
  • DrInfo audit reports.

  Any significant variation from expected patterns is discussed at clinical meetings.

Audit form: RNZCGP Repeat Prescription Audit Form

See also Quality Improvement Planning.

Resources

• NZNO Guidelines for Nurses on the Administration of Medicines
• HealthPathways: Practical prescribing guide