Streamlining medicine supply and stock control
FIRES
PIPs could articulate their detailed knowledge of the role of the community pharmacist and the processes which may be in place when a medicine is started or stopped, particularly the time it can take for automated systems to register the change. This ‘insider knowledge’ placed PIPs in an ideal position to educate other professionals and try to streamline medicine ordering processes:Geriatrician didn’t realise that although it was stopped in the MAR chart the next month’s is out there in the van waiting to be delivered, just anticipating those fires PIP_9.PIPs explained that such lack of understanding about the medicine supply process led to stopped medicines still being dispensed and administered and this could be a patient safety issue. The majority reported developing enhanced relationships with community pharmacists and CH staff. If the PIP worked in the GP practice, these relationships were often sustained postintervention, A few PIPs explained that taking part in the intervention had prompted them to review systems in the GP surgery:We have 5 people—pharmacy technician, pharmacy assistants, generating prescriptions, dealing with questions, and discharge letters, so one of them is now appointed for the nursing home patients. If we need to discuss anything, she’s the one that helps if we make a change, she’ll change it on their file, and then she’ll liaise as well with the nursing home PIP_22.