Reading a Prescribing Chart – Medicines Management

Legal Requirements for a prescription

• Hospital number or address
• Name of patient
• Date
• Name of drug
• Dose – unless only one dose available for that particular drug
• Signature
• Date of birth only legally required if under 12 years old
• NHS prescriptions required to be on appropriate forms
• If GP, need practice stamp

Safe Prescriptions

• Date of birth
• Directions – how and when to take the medication
• Any allergies
• Other drugs the patient is on – to avoid adverse interactions
• Ensure patient knows why they are taking the medication

For Controlled Drugs (CDs)

• Opiates (morphine, diamorphine, methadone)
• Major stimulants (amphetamines, quinalbarbitone)
• Ketamine and benzodiazepines

General Advice

• Is in the right section – e.g. regular dose, as required & variable dose, IV & Enteral tube
• Is clearly written
• Is written in its generic name, not branded
• Has a dose – also check that the dose is reasonable – i.e. 10g of something is probably wrong – but you would have to check BNF or ask pharmacist to clarify.
• Has a signature for who authorised it
• If it says how many times to take it, make sure that the times for these are also written
• Check if drug has been discontinued – there is a little box under the general patient details that tells you the codes for why a drug has been discontinued.
• Has a route of administration

• The doses are right
• There are any drug interactions

References

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