A generation ago (February 2019), I wrote about SafeScripts. From my post then:
We’ve written before about how PartridgeGP prefers safer and better options to opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing. These medications do serve a purpose at some times in some patients and so we must be safe.
Victoria has an amazing system – SafeScripts. Let’s get it here in South Australia!
SafeScript is computer software that allows prescription records for certain high-risk medicines to be transmitted in real-time to a centralised database which can then be accessed by doctors (or nurse practitioners) and pharmacists during a consultation with a patient. The records will be obtained automatically via an electronic transfer of prescriptions through a Prescription Exchange Service (PES) when a prescription is issued or dispensed at a medical clinic or pharmacy. No data entry will be required. SafeScript will enable doctors and pharmacists to make safer clinical decisions and identify circumstances where patients may be receiving high-risk medicines beyond medical need.
After 2+ years, this is coming to South Australia! From the latest AMA release:
From Monday 15 March 2021, registration emails will be sent to all eligible prescribers and pharmacists inviting them to register for ScriptCheckSA. If you have not received an email by COB Friday 19 March 2021, you can register via the secure Registration Portal.
More information about how to register is available on the Registering for ScriptCheckSA fact sheet (PDF 292KB).
Free online training and resources to support the use of ScriptCheckSA will be available from Monday 22 March 2021 on this page.
Access to ScriptCheckSA will be available at the end of March 2021.
ScriptCheckSA is the name of South Australia’s real time prescription monitoring computer system. ScriptCheckSA provides prescribers and pharmacists with real-time information about a patient’s use of monitored drugs when they are considering prescribing or dispensing these drugs, to ensure safer clinical decisions.
Prescription drug dependence, misuse and diversion are increasing concerns both in Australia and internationally – with associated overdose and accidental death continuing to rise in Australia.
Monitored drugs include pain medications such as oxycodone, morphine and fentanyl, some medications used to manage anxiety, narcolepsy or ADHD including dexamfetamine, methylphenidate and alprazolam.
This is an awesome initiative – safer and better for patients and GPs. ScriptCheckSA will not stop a patient from obtaining their regular medicines where their doctor has identified a legitimate clinical need. It’s great to see that things are happening in government and medicine that aren’t COVID related – the world is still turning. Of course, COVID vaccinations are coming – and coming to PartridgeGP – so check your email, phones, and our socials for how this will roll out!
PartridgeGP works with you to help you make your best health decisions, and we won’t back away from being your companion, guide, advisor, and sounding board through your health journey. We pride ourselves on great communication and we’re ready to share our professional skills and knowledge with you. This is only MORE important now with new vaccines here to END the pandemic. The way forward is clear: make your appointment with us conveniently online right here – or call our friendly reception team on 82953200.
Better, for you.
Want more?
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For everyone, we believe that having a usual GP or General Practice is central to each person’s care and recommend that people with any health issues that come to the attention of other health professionals should be advised to attend their usual GP or General Practice rather than a specialised service (ie a place not providing the holistic care a specialist GP would). If they say that they don’t have a usual GP or general practice, they should be helped to find one and to actually attend it. Call PartridgeGP on 82953200 or make an appointment online here.
(Hat tip: Dr Oliver Frank)
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If you are a great GP or a great Allied Health Professional, and you want to serve your clients or patients to the best of your ability, without worrying about all the non clinical things that get in your way, lets talk. Call Mrs Hayley Roberts on 8295 3200 and have a coffee and chat with us as to how PartridgeGP can help you to help others.