29 November 2006

A new web-based, interactive, training module, funded by the National Prescribing Service (NPS), could help ensure a better success rate in the education and understanding of the National In-patient Medication Chart (NIMC) when it is fully implemented by early January 2007.

State and territory health departments are preparing educational programs to underpin the introduction of the chart. These include workshop (train-the-trainer) programs with materials designed to be delivered in group sessions, focusing on the safety principles behind the design of the chart and the important messages about safe and effective prescribing communication.

However, major barriers to achieving full nationwide implementation are guaranteeing universal attendance at group education sessions, with GP prescribers and Chief Medical Officers in smaller/rural hospitals the most likely to be affected; and ongoing education for new staff moving into hospital practice after the implementation phase.

The online training module aims to address these issues and support state and territorial health initiatives by ensuring users are familiar with prescription and writing standards and can apply these standards in completing in-patient prescriptions; are aware of potentially serious and or common errors in prescribing; and are to accurately complete in-patient prescriptions using the medication chart.

NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes is optimistic that the proposed e-module will help remove learning barriers by allowing individuals to be trained at a time and place that is convenient to them.

“Having a common medication chart for prescribing is one thing, making sure all necessary individuals know how to use it is another. The new training module will provide flexible, easily accessible educational support to all health professionals prescribing in hospitals around Australia and is complementary to the initiatives of each state and territorial health department,” said Dr Weekes.

The online training module is modelled on the successfully implemented All Wales Chart – a standard country-wide medication chart developed in the UK. The Australian version will include chapters on prescription writing standards, prescribing once only, pre-medications and nurse initiated medications amongst others and contains a number of self assessment pages.

The online module will be available to all health jurisdictions nationwide free of charge by mid January 2007.

It can be accessed at www.learningindustries.com/nps.

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 member-based and work in partnership with health professionals, government, pharmaceutical industry and consumers. NPS is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.