1. NEW TECHNOLOGY & PAEDIATRIC PHARMACY
Adam Sutherland

2. The Rise of The Machines
Internet
Personal Digital Assistants
iPhones (other internet ‘phones are available)
Electronic Patient Records
Electronic Prescribing

3. Benefits of New Technology
Improved business efficiency
Rapid access to info at the point of need
Presents a “tidier” and “cleaner” working environment
Improved lines of accountability

4. Drawbacks of New Technology
Resource intensive
££££
Human resource
Time
Liability
Using new technology requires innovation
Assigning accountability

5. Developing New Technology
How do you control access to new technology?
Cost?
Internet Restrictions?
Restrictions on personal digital equipment?
You didn’t invent me, you just bloody bought me!

6. Purpose of This Morning
Recover from last night
Different technologies and their application to pharmacy
The challenges that these represent:
Impact on Patient Safety
Risk assessment and management
Implementation
Quality assurance

7. WORKSTATIONS Electronic Prescribing (sans demo)
Using on-line dose references
Computer aided dose calculation

8. Discussion Implementation Consider carefully the resources required
Human
Cash
Information migration & inclusion
Be realistic
Be practical
Consider clinical reality
Be cautious with your deadlines

9. Discussion Risk Assessment Methods
Which is best depends on YOUR institution
Prioritisation
Frequency of task?
Risk of task (depending on above)
Complexity of task
Examples:
Decision support systems
Electronic prescribing
“Smart” IV Infusion Pumps

10. Discussion
Robust
Consider ALL aspects – not just the “perceived” risks
Multi-professional – medical, nursing, pharmacy, IT, risk management.
Examples:
Future equipment upgrading
User training and education
System maintenance
Equity of Access

11. Discussion Quality Assurance Definition of standards Validation
Benchmark
Audit and re-audit
Validation
Consistent
Correct
Accurate
Compliant with standards set above

12. Discussion Implementation Roll out priorities and processes
Pre-launch checklist
Training and Education
Style of training depends on technology being introduced
Publicity
Initial audit and scrutiny
Ensure that your new intervention isn’t adversely affecting patients
Proactively identify any issues

13. Discussion Impact on Patient Safety
The implementation of any new technology will have a short term negative impact on patient safety:
Learning curve
Identification of post-launch problems
This can be managed if the technology is implemented in a structured and considered manner

14. What’s the worst that can happen?