| Non-medical prescribing implementation example |
| Clinic review therapy, radiographer supplementary prescribing in a cancer centre |
Organisation
Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
Area of practice
Clinic review therapy, radiographer supplementary prescribing in a cancer centre |
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Example of implementation of NMP
The role of a clinic radiographer involves assessing and advising patients on radiation induced side effects undergoing radiotherapy. If the clinic review radiographer deemed the patient required medical intervention the patient was required to wait to see a doctor, or for the radiographer to find a doctor to write a prescription. It was recognised that if the clinic review radiographer, as a supplementary prescriber, could review the patient, assess and prescribe then an immediate decision could be made and patient-waiting time in the department could be reduced considerably.
As radiographers can only use supplementary non-medical prescribing clinical management plans (CMPs) needed to be devised and implemented. Six sites specific CMPs were devised and presented to the therapeutics committee for approval.
Other steps required for implementation:
- Registration with Health Professional Council
- Job description and scope of practice changes
- Departmental protocols for management of side effects to be written and then pharmacist approved and adopted by Clinical Director
- Mentoring clinician required
Once done prescribing could begin. Supplementary prescribing commenced on all cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy to the prostate and 3 CMPs were used.
An audit of supplementary prescribing activity was undertaken on these patients reviewed by the radiographer. The aim of this audit is to provide information on the usage of supplementary prescribing and the compliance of legal protocols in the radiographer review role.
Data was collected during the reviews and those that received a prescription; satisfaction questionnaires were given to the patient and their clinician. Questionnaires were given to pharmacy and manager to review the Supplementary prescribing process, to ensure that the prescriber was legally following government protocols on non-medical prescribing.
A report was then made and presented at the clinical governance meeting and recommendations were made to implement the service to further groups of cancer patients.
For further information please contact:
Ranjena Verma, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Ranjenaverma@aol.com
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