1. Gill Butler NW Pharmacist Trainers Steering Group
North West Hospitals Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacist Accuracy Checking Programme (based on the Welsh PACE model)
Gill Butler
NW Pharmacist Trainers Steering Group

2. Aim:
To develop the baseline knowledge and
skills required for the Accuracy checking of
dispensed prescriptions to enable pre-regs
to start the North West Hospitals Pre-
registration Trainee Pharmacist Accuracy
Checking Programme

3. Objectives: 1. To introduce the Accuracy Checking Programme
2. To reflect on errors and the consequences of errors
3. To develop your own accuracy checking checklist
4. To describe the key stages in the Accuracy Checking process
6. To develop skills in accuracy checking
7. To describe what action to take to resolve problems with prescriptions

4. North West Hospitals Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacist Accuracy Checking Programme
Scope
To enable Trusts within the North West who
sign up to the scheme to use pre-registration
trainee pharmacists as accuracy checkers
within their pharmacy departments
Benefits to Trusts:
Consistency in training across the NW
Regionally recognised scheme
Release other members of staff from accuracy checking duties eg pharmacists, clinical technicians
Benefits to pre-regs
Consistency in training
Feel more integrated and effective member of the pharmacy team
Provided with responsibility
Evidence for GPhC standards

5. Aims of the scheme To enable the pre-regs to
Develop knowledge and skills for accuracy checking
Develop communication skills
Collect evidence for performance standards
Develop professional awareness of pharmacy practice
Demonstrate competence in accuracy checking
Accuracy check in the dispensary
Acknowledge the risks and consequences of errors
North West Hospitals Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacist Accuracy Checking Programme
Show pre-regs the programme manual

6. Training and Accreditation NW Accuracy checking module
Portfolio of Practice based activities
Accuracy checking test
Accreditation by tutor/pre-reg manager
North West Hospitals Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacist Accuracy Checking Programme
Refer to the programme manual to explain the bullet points in more depth
NB logs must be submitted in the original bound manual – no loose logs will be accepted

7. Activity 1 Group work Reflection on errors
Students to discuss common errors occurring at base hospital and what has been put in place to reduce the risk of these errors happening again

8. Develop checklist for accuracy checking
Activity 2
Individual work
Develop checklist for accuracy checking
Students to use knowledge they already have from experience and reading departmental accuracy checking policy to develop a checklist for accuracy checking

9. Key Stages of Accuracy Checking
Check the prescription
Check the items prescribed
Check the item
Check the bulk container (if not original pack)
Check the label
Final sign off

10. Check the prescription
Read the prescription and check the following
Signed as clinically checked by a pharmacist
Valid and in date
Signed and dated by prescriber
Patients name and hospital number
Patients age or date of birth +/- weight
Consultant
Ward or department

11. 2. Check the item(s) on the prescription
Drug name
Dosage form and route
Dose and frequency
Additional directions
Duration of treatment (if applicable)
Controlled drug requirements (if applicable)

12. 3. Check the item Check the following are correct and in accordance
with the prescription
Product, strength, form
Quantity
Ensure the label does not cover any important information including braille
In date and will not expire before treatment complete
Appropriate container and closure
Second quantity check for cytotoxics
Nb all original packs should have original contents – do not mix batches

13. 4. Check the bulk container
If an item is packed down, need to check that
Bulk container is correct product and strength
Product in date and will not expire before treatment complete
Original materials are of acceptable quality
Contents of bulk container match dispensed item

14. 5. Check the label Patient details – name (spelt correctly)
Ward and consultant
Date
Drug name, strength and form
Quantity (check calculations)
Directions
Additional warning labels (BNF appendix 9)
Supplementary labels – storage instructions, expiry date etc.

15. Check relevant paperwork is complete and sent with the prescription
6. Final sign off
Check endorsements
Sundries – appropriate bag, bag label, PILs, warning cards, spoons, oral syringes etc.
Check relevant paperwork is complete and sent with the prescription
Sign the prescription as checked
Encourage students to update/amend their checklists after this slide

16. Activity 3 Individual work Practical session
Students to use their checklist to help them accuracy check mock prescriptions

17. Complete a record of evidence
Activity 4
Individual work
Complete a record of evidence
Students to complete a record of evidence for the tutorial

18. Objectives revisited:
1. To introduce the Accuracy Checking Programme
2. To reflect on errors and the consequences of errors
3. To develop your own accuracy checking checklist
4. To describe the key stages in the Accuracy Checking process
6. To develop skills in accuracy checking
7. To describe what action to take to resolve problems with prescriptions