15 August 2006

National Prescribing Service (NPS) announced today that they will undertake a new evaluation study to identify the features of general practice prescribing software systems that enhance clinical care and improve patient outcomes. 

This is the first study of its kind undertaken in Australia. It aims to establish consensus on the most important features of prescribing software systems and determine which quality and safety features will most effectively support general practitioners in providing patient care. 

It is estimated that 90% of Australian GPs use clinical software in day-to-day practice, and GP prescribing software systems have potential to provide significant benefits for GPs and patients including improved safety, quality, communication and reduction in errors.  

The development and integration of decision support in prescribing software in Australia has happened in an ad-hoc and uncoordinated way, with various products evolving differently.  

This has resulted in variable system features among different prescribing software with little quality control and transparency in relation to both the knowledge base used to provide information to GPs and the functionality used to implement existing features. 

“Currently GPs in Australia don’t have established criteria to help them to make an informed decision about which prescribing software systems can improve health care quality. Also, vendors and funding bodies don’t have criteria with which to progress the implementation of safety and quality features” said Dr Stephen Phillips, Chair NPS Pharmaceutical Decision Support Working Group.

The NPS evaluation study will examine these issues. Components of the evaluation will include:  

1. The development of a list of important features of prescribing software systems through a literature review and stakeholder consultation which will include a request for written submissions from software vendors

2. The formation of an Australian expert panel that will include GPs, pharmacists, health informatics, health care quality and safety and consumer groups

3. The development of criteria for testing prescribing software

4. Testing the most commonly used prescribing software systems using these criteria. Results of the evaluation of each product will be discussed with each software vendor to ensure evaluation of each product have been conducted appropriately. 

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines. We provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to help people choose if, when and how to use medicines to improve their health and well-being. We are memberbased and work in partnership with health professionals, government, pharmaceutical industry and consumers. NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.