Patients in the Royal Alexandra and Vale of Leven hospitals are benefitting from a new electronic prescribing system, which makes the process safer and more efficient.
The old-fashioned hand-written hospital drug chart has been used for decades – but now NHSGGC has introduced a new electronic prescribing system fit for the future, with roll-out just completed at the two hospital sites.
NHSGGC introduced the CMM HEPMA (Hospital Prescribing and Medicines Administration) system, with an initial pilot taking place at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Dr Alastair Bishop, who leads the HEPMA programme said: “HEPMA replaces the paper drug chart previously used in hospitals and has now been rolled out throughout the RAH and the Vale.
“Once it’s introduced throughout the Board area, it will be used in over 300 wards and 100 theatres across NHSGGC, making this the largest installation of the system in the UK.”
Moving away from the paper drug chart makes it easier for several members of the clinical team to review the patient’s medicines information at the same time, and the detailed information in HEPMA makes it possible to analyse and improve medicines practice across NHSGGC. HEPMA is a key part of NHSGGC’s Digital Strategy to modernise healthcare.
Dr Bishop added: “HEPMA is sophisticated and can automatically provide prescribing advice to highlight medicines which interact with each other and alert clinical staff about a patient’s allergies. The system also highlights the medicines each patient is due, making the process of administering medicines to patients easier and quicker.
“As a team we are supporting nurses, doctors and other staff as the system rolls out. Clinical staff like the new HEPMA system and they are working closely with the HEPMA team to ensure it is introduced successfully. The feedback has been very positive. I would like to thank the RAH and Vale teams, as this has taken a massive effort from the clinical teams. They have all given it their total commitment, in what are very difficult times.”
Work has now begun to roll out the system in Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
Con Gillespie, Interim Chief Nurse for NHSGGC’s Clyde sector, said, “HEPMA is a real step forward for nursing staff across NHSGGC, streamlining the process of giving medicines to patients and prompting the team about medicines which are due.
“It’s a great example of how technology can help our clinical teams provide the best possible care to patients.”