- 14 July 2023
Refer-to-Pharmacy: fully integrated hospital to community pharmacy referral system
Keywords: Access to Health Data, Continuity of Care, Integrated Care, Pharmacy, Referrals
Type
Digital solution and service (e.g. application/digital health portal/platform/AI based system/etc.)
Short description
Refer-to-Pharmacy allows bedside referral of patients to their community pharmacist for either a post-discharge medicines adherence consultation (New Medicine Service, Medicines Use Review), or to update a patient’s medication record with changes made in hospital to improve safety. Pharmacies are also informed on hospital admission of their care home or blister pack patients so they can pause dispensing to reduce wasted medicines. Refer-to-Pharmacy is an electronic tool that facilitates rapid referral by the hospital pharmacy team; it is integrated with Trust IT systems so patient demography instantly populates the referral and their electronic discharge letter is automatically attached at discharge.
Evidence
Economic value to health and care systems, Impact on the health system’s capacity and resilience (e.g., health and care efficiency, continuity of care)
Reduced hospital admissions, improved patient safety and reductions in medicine waste
Maturity
There is evidence for economic viability and/or of benefits to the target group of the practice. Further research/development is needed for routine use.
Countries
United Kingdom (please specify)
England
Geographical scope
Local
East Lancashire
Language(s)
English
Comment
n/a
Submitted in other database or repository of digital health resources that is publicly available
https://futurium.ec.europa.eu/en/active-and-healthy-living-digital-world/library/eip-aha-repository-innovative-practices, EIPonAHA Repository of innovative practices
Additional information
Relations
to clinicians / care practitioners
ePrescription solutions
Primary target patient group (age)
May be used across all patient ages
Use case and care pathway positioning
Integrated care pathways
Ready to be transferred to
Ready for transfer, but the practice has not been transferred yet.