EPrescribing and Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions - hiqa.ie

EPrescribing and Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions: an International ReviewHealth Information and Quality AuthorityThis strategy recommends continuing the roll out of the NHS Electronic PrescriptionService and building upon this by implementing ePrescribing outside of GP practicessuch as within hospitals. (32)5.2 ePrescribing in England.EPrescribing is being implemented through a programme known as the ElectronicPrescribing Service (EPS). (33) The EPS is a service comprising a number of keycomponents, ranging from functionality in prescribing systems in primary andsecondary care, dispensing systems in pharmacies and centrally managedfunctionally referred to as ‘the spine’. Some of the functions are centrally managedby the NHS and others, especially in the pharmacy sector, are the responsibility ofpharmacies to contract with the system suppliers.EPrescribing has been managed as two specific releases – Electronic Transmission ofPrescriptions Release 1 (R1) and Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions Release 2(R2). Prescribers and dispensers are required to register to use the system andconnect to services. Once registered, users are issued with smartcards which controltheir access to the system. The releases are summarised in the Table 3 below.Table 3, Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions releasesSoftwareElectronic Transmission of PrescriptionsRelease 1 (R1)Electronic Transmission of PrescriptionsRelease 2 (R2).Phase1 – Initial implementers2 – Nationwide deployment3 – Transition4 – Full ETPThe approach is based on increasing the functionality in prescribing and dispensingsystems incrementally, with the electronic transmission of barcoded prescription databetween prescriber and dispenser initially. Paper prescriptions are still required in theR1 implementations. R1 brings minimal changes for patients and staff – the onlynoticeable difference being the addition of a barcode when prescriptions are printed.R2 provides enhanced functionality for users and will deliver tangible benefits forpatients, prescribers and dispensers. R2 allows:• nomination of a dispenser – a new process that gives patients the option tochoose, or 'nominate', a dispenser to which their prescriptions can be sentelectronically, via the EPS• electronic cancellation of prescriptions – prescribers (and other authorisedstaff working in the GP practice where the prescription was generated) will beable to cancel electronic prescriptions at any point up until they are dispensed• electronic repeat dispensing – prescribers can electronically sign, andtherefore authorise, a specific number of repeat prescriptions, alleviating the22