A qualitative evaluation of Australia's national inpatient medication chart GP e-version

A qualitative evaluation of Australia's national inpatient medication chart GP e-version

This project is funded by The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Project members - Macquarie University

Project members - external

Project contacts

Associate Professor Melissa Baysari
Associate Professor

Project main description

In 2004, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (“the Commission”) introduced a National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC) to optimise safe prescribing and administration of medicines in hospitals. In 2009, the Commission approved use of a NIMC General Practitioner (GP) e-version, a printable version of the NIMC, pre-populated with medication information contained in GP software. In smaller Australian hospitals, where GPs have admitting rights, this NIMC GP e-version is currently being used.The objective of this research was to review and evaluate use of the NIMC GP e-version.

Aims

We aimed to: 1) Understand how the NIMC GP e-version is used; 2) Identify possible benefits and risks associated with use of the NIMC GP e-version; and 3) Identify factors that may be contributing to increased risk while using the NIMC GP e-version.

Design and method

Doctors, nurses and pharmacists working in regional hospitals and clinics were observed as they used the NIMC GP e-Version and interviewed about the chart. Telephone interviews with additional staff (doctors, nurses, pharmacists and GP vendors) were also undertaken.

Project details

This project is funded by The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care

Related stream of research

Project status

Current

Centres related to this project

Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research