Promoting patient safety with South Devon's Joint Formulary
Healthcare professionals in South Devon can now access the South Devon Joint Formulary via the Map of Medicine. The Joint Formulary provides an advisory tool encouraging evidence-base, cost effective prescribing across South Devon.
The project aimed to further embed the local formulary within everyday clinical practice. Clinicians would be able to access current, up to date medications advice to support the delivery of effective and safe patient care.
Role of Map of Medicine
South Devon LHC are using the Map to help promote patient safety as part of their Right Treatment and Choice (Right TRaC) programme. South Devon Right TRaC pathways on the Map now include input from the Joint Formulary team. Printed versions of the formulary quickly become out of date, but by having the information on the Map, access would be facilitated.
Milestones
- The South Devon Joint Formulary team initially worked with the Right TRaC team to deliver access to the Formulary as a separate section on the local view of the Map
- The project was then extended to incorporate medication advice and information with all South Devon local pathways.
- The team will evaluate the requirement for a printed version of the Joint Formulary, potentially cutting cost and the carbon footprint of the LHC.
Challenges
- Dividing the Formulary into appropriate sections, improving access to the relevant medications information for clinicians at the point of care.
Results
Patient safety has been improved by facilitating access for clinicians to the most up to date, evidence-based medications advice from the South Devon Joint Formulary. Changes to the Formulary are immediately accessible to clinicians. The Formulary has been embedded within the patient journey. Efficiency benefits are expected as a result of increased accessibility and compliance.