The rate of change in the proportion of LAC PPI, LAC statin and ibuprofen and naproxen usage and total dosulepin usage altered significantly following introduction of the NPI. The use of NPIs to influence primary care prescribing in Wales appeared to have varied results. The change in rate of use was significant for four of the nine indicators included in this study. Two of the four promoted medicines associated with a more favourable
risk-benefit profile (percentage ibuprofen and naproxen prescribing and dosulepin use), perhaps suggesting Selumetinib that prescribers considered them to be of higher priority. The significant change in rate of LAC statin prescribing was contrary to the aim of this indicator. Although a non-significant prescribing rate change was apparent for the remaining five NPIs, it was possible that 12 months was not sufficient to observe a significant change and that a longer period Selleckchem Cyclopamine of monitoring was required. Ongoing monitoring of these NPIs is the subject of further work. Generic (%) LAC PPI (%) LAC statin (%) ACE (%) Ibu & Nap
(%) H&A (DDDs/1,000 patients) Dosulepin (DDDs/1,000 PUs) NSAIDs (DDDs/1,000 PUs) PPIs (DDDs/1,000 PUs) *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01 1. All Wales National Prescribing Indicators 2013–2014. All Wales Medicines Strategy Group. http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/Documents/371/National%20Prescribing%20Indicators%202013-2014%20%5Bwebsite%5D.pdf Jose Manuel Serrano Santos, David Wright, Fiona Poland University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, UK This study aims to explore how Individualised Medication Administration Guides (I-MAGs) would be received and used in care homes for administering medication to patients with dysphagia (PWD). The implementation of I-MAGs could increase nurses’ clinical confidence. Pharmacist interventions in care homes could help standardise practice in medication administration. As conditions such as stroke, cancer, Parkinson's disease and Huntingdon's chorea are commonly found in care homes between 15% and 30% of
residents Fludarabine in care homes have been found to have difficulties in swallowing their medicines.(1) To address the difficulties associated with administering medicines to patients who cannot swallow (with dysphagia), Individualised Medication Administration Guides (I-MAGs) were introduced by a specialised pharmacist in Care for Elderly wards in a general hospital in East Anglia. The guides contained detailed information about how to administer each medication and they were individualised to the needs of the patient. The I-MAGs were printed in green forms and attached to the medication chart in order to be used in conjunction with it. The ward nurses reported an increase in their confidence when administering medication when I-MAGs were present in the ward.(2) Some patients with I-MAG were discharged to care homes where the I-MAG might have been equally useful.