Kate is a doctor who wishes to prescribe medication for a patient attending a clinic.
The patient record is already displayed on her computer so she clicks on the
medication field and can select current medication’, ‘new medication’ or ‘formulary’.
If she selects ‘current medication’, the system asks her to check the dose. If she
wants to change the dose, she enters the dose and then confirms the prescription.
If she chooses ‘new medication’, the system assumes that she knows which
medication to prescribe. She types the first few letters of the drug name. The system
displays a list of possible drugs starting with these letters. She chooses the required
medication and the system responds by asking her to check that the medication
selected is correct. She enters the dose and then confirms the prescription.
If she chooses ‘formulary’, the system displays a search box for the approved
formulary. She can
then search for the drug required. She selects a drug and is asked
to check that the medication is correct. She enters the dose and then confirms the
prescription.
The system always checks that the dose is within the approved range. If it isn’t, Kate
is asked to change the dose.
After Kate has confirmed the prescription, it will be displayed for checking. She either
clicks ‘OK’ or ‘Change’. If she clicks ‘OK’, the prescription is recorded on the audit
database. If she clicks on ‘Change’, she reenters the ‘Prescribing medication’ process.