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The drug dictionary for the patientHow do we choose a drug or preparation for a patient? |
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Given that we have decided what it is that we are treating, we will
have a clear idea of the action group which we require (eg
antibiotic; hypotensive etc) We then wish to select from a list. This is where current software (correct me if I am wrong) fails us. The lists offered are not those which we want. They may even not be those we need. Which lists do we want, or rather, using the basic function of the computer, electronic data processing, what should be combined into the single list which is rpesented to us for that incident with that patient and that doctor? Modelling the process of thought, the GP wishes to select a suitable drug to which the patient has previously been exposed and which has had a favourable outcome, and avoid those to which there has been an unfavourable outcome.
The prescribing module should allow a separate formulary for each doctor, derived (cascading) from a common formulary by trainer; practice; PCG and the like.
If there is no preparation in either of these lists, then we wish to choose from a "higher level" formulary, whether practice, PCG or BNF, and to do so by action group. Since at this point we are dealing with a drug less well known to us, we need some information presented to us at that point, and with a little more forcefulness than if it is the 99th time we have been acquanted with the spectrum of action of Penicillin V. We also, at all times, wish to avoid making mistakes that must then be corrected.
the system should show allergies recorded against the patient at the point at which a preparation is about to be chosen, and should allow addition of further allergies or avoid notices at that point as well.
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