Taranaki DHB trials electronic tool to reduce errors

Media Release National Health IT Board

7 September 2011

Taranaki DHB trials electronic tool to reduce medication errors

Taranaki District Health Board is trialling a new electronic tool to help reduce medication errors.

Electronic Medicine Reconciliation collects, compares and communicates the most accurate possible list of medicines a patient is taking. Details of any allergies and adverse drug reactions are included.

This information is electronically available to everyone caring for the patient to make sure they get ?the right medicine in the right dose at the right time.? The new tool is part of the national Medication Safety Programme.

New Plymouth GP Dr Peter Catt says it is a pleasure to use.

?I found it excellent and easy for me to follow and to transfer into my notes,? he said.

?My patient's partner also found it excellent as he understood exactly what all the changes were. Congratulations to the team! I think it is a great improvement in safety.?

Electronic Medicine Reconciliation is the first in a series of changes to improve patient care around medicines during a hospital stay and as the patient transfers back to GP care.

The programme electronically sends information to the GP around what medication a patient is on.

Taranaki is using the system that was developed by Counties Manukau DHB, with Waitemata DHB and the National eMedicines Programme.

These three DHBs are early adopters of electronic Medicine Reconciliation and are evaluating it before it is rolled out across all hospitals in New Zealand.

For more information about medication safety, see www.hqsc.govt.nz and www.ithealthboard.health.nz.

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