Quality standard

Quality statement 6 (developmental statement): electronic prescribing systems

Quality statement 6 (developmental statement): electronic prescribing systems

Developmental quality statements set out an emergent area of cutting-edge service delivery or technology currently found in a minority of providers and indicating outstanding performance. They will need specific, significant changes to be put in place, such as redesign of services or new equipment.

Quality statement

Prescribers in secondary and dental care use electronic prescribing systems that link indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Rationale

Although most GP practices already use electronic prescribing systems, many secondary care services (inpatient and outpatient) and dental care settings don't have access to this technology. Linking the indication with the antimicrobial prescription using electronic prescribing supports antimicrobial stewardship by highlighting inappropriate prescribing, and monitoring individual prescribing practice.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

Structure

Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that prescribers of antimicrobials in secondary care and dental care settings have access to electronic prescribing systems that link indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Data source: Local data collection.

Process

a) Proportion of secondary care services using electronic prescribing systems that link the indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Numerator – the number in the denominator using electronic prescribing systems that link the indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Denominator – the number of secondary care services.

Data source: Local data collection.

b) Proportion of dental practices using electronic prescribing systems that link the indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Numerator – the number in the denominator using electronic prescribing systems that link the indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Denominator – the number of dental practices.

Data source: Local data collection.

Outcome

Antimicrobial prescribing rates.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Service providers (such as hospitals and dental practices) ensure that prescribers of antimicrobials have access to electronic prescribing systems that link indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Prescribers use electronic prescribing systems that link indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

Commissioners ensure that they commission services with electronic prescribing systems that link indication with the antimicrobial prescription.

People receive care from healthcare services that have electronic systems for prescribing. These systems support prescribing of antimicrobials according to diagnosis as well as local and national guidance on antimicrobial use.