Showing papers on "Audit plan published in 1984"

Computer-based prescription audit as a research, educational and management tool.

Abstract: An existing dedicated pharmacy computer system (MIDAS system, Alfred Hospital and Health Computing Services, Victoria) used primarily for pharmacy labelling and dispensing, has been rewritten for an in-house minicomputer, with enhancements that allow it to be used in budgetary predictions, drug use monitoring, therapeutic audit and as a research tool. An automatically updated hard copy record of individual patient prescription profiles is generated and represents a valuable addition to the patient medical record. Allied to automatic "sorting" and retrieval techniques, all patients on nominated drugs can be identified and their records examined for particular combination use. Current application to assessment of nifedipine- beta blocker use will be presented, as will an application to cimetidine audit. Prescriptions can be scanned and segregated in terms of numbers of prescriptions in addition to segregation in terms of a particular therapeutic agent. Initial application to audit has detected an unacceptable level of polypharmacy (more than 26% of all prescriptions involve greater than or equal to 5 items and more than 3% involved greater than or equal to 10 items). Statistical information on the volume and unit cost of outpatient prescribing allows a precise estimate of ongoing budgetary commitments, while trends in discharge medication profiles allow a basis for prediction of budgetary trends, particularly with respect to the use of recent additions to the formulary. The system allows for expansion at minimal cost with potentially revolutionary applications, for example, interactive prescriber education if and when "on-line" capabilities are developed. Cross-linking with relevant data-bases will allow a major expansion of applied research into therapeutic drug use and its consequences.

1984 and the medical audit.

Abstract: Medical audit in its various forms pervades our practices and our medical thinking in 1984. It includes a wide range of purposes and functions, most of which need not be seen as an external “Big Brother”. Some form of audit, at least internal, is inherent in professionalism. This article reviews the concepts and principles of medical audit with special emphasis on how to stay out of trouble when faced with external audits done for monitoring purposes.

Medical audit: I. Is it needed and how should it be done?

Abstract: This brief chapter is concerned with the rationale of medical audit and the problems included in its evolution and application.