Dr James Derrick, an experienced anaesthetist with Southport Anaesthetic Specialists in Queensland and long-time RxPad user, navigates a busy practice focused purely on delivering anaesthesia. Each day brings new patients, each with unique profiles and surgical needs, making safety, flexibility and efficiency critical in his work.
The Challenge
James found the traditional method of prescribing with paper scripts quite burdensome. One of the challenges he faced was the need to physically reissue scripts whenever patients required changes to their medications or lost their scripts.
Additionally, dealing with prescriptions in hospital settings introduced logistical complexities. It was not uncommon for someone to print over the script by accident when using shared printers. As every printer is different, it often took James several attempts before the script was printed on the correct part of the paper.
In James' case, he found himself frustrated due to a lack of available standalone electronic prescribing tools in the market. His options were limited as all existing electronic prescribing tools were incorporated into broader Practice Management Systems (PMS), which carried high fees.
Switching to RxPad
In October of last year, James stumbled upon RxPad and was instantly attracted to its affordability and user-friendliness.
When a patient appointment commences, James double-checks their contact information as a validation measure and engages in a detailed discussion about their medication options to ensure he prescribes what is most suitable for their specific needs.
James’s usual workflow is to enter the patient into the RxPad when the list is sent out, discuss the medication with the patient during the consult and prescribe it during the surgery. Occasionally, the surgeon might request discharge medications, and James can quickly attend to these requests through RxPad.
Other Benefits of Electronic Prescribing
“Pre-medications used to be very difficult as I needed to find a chemist that the patient could visit, discuss the prescription with the chemist and both fax the description to the chemist and post the original script.”, James explained. Since he started prescribing electronically, James can now pre-medicate patients with just a few clicks, allowing the patient to fill their scripts from their pharmacy of choice, making the process significantly more streamlined and efficient. James also pointed out that “with electronic prescribing, there is less of a problem with people stealing script pads and that the scripts are also legible”, making the prescribing process more secure and error-free. Another notable benefit is the ability to access a comprehensive list of available medicines when prescribing as it allows him to easily check which medications are covered by the PBS, saving the patient out of pocket costs. For patients with particular requirements, RxPad also allows him to explore different formulations to tailor his prescriptions more closely to their needs. This adaptability in prescription management significantly improves the effectiveness of patient care.
Wrap up
James’ experience with RxPad showcases a significant improvement in prescribing efficiency, security and patient care that comes with the adoption of electronic prescribing. By embracing this technology, clinicians can overcome the limitations of traditional paper scripts, and the process is now more flexible and fault tolerant. This transformation underscores the impact of electronic prescribing solutions in modernising healthcare practices and making prescriptions more convenient and accessible for patients in Australia.
Learn more about RxPad
To learn more about RxPad, please visit rxpad.com.au to learn more about how electronic prescribing can help improve your workflow!
