CM A7 Prescribe medication for individuals with a long term condition

Overview

This standard is about prescribing medication to reduce the impact of a long term condition on individuals’ health and wellbeing. It covers relating the prescription to the individual’s condition and treatment plan and, where appropriate, making arrangements for repeat prescriptions. This standard is relevant to those who may be responsible for prescribing medication. In order to prescribe, you are legally bound to have successfully completed the Extended Formulary/Supplementary Prescribing course. This standard is relevant to those who provide proactive and co-ordinated Case Management. Here, Case Management means identifying and risk stratifying vulnerable, high-risk people with complex multiple long term conditions. Case Management should take place within the philosophy of enabling and promoting self care, self management and independence. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. national legislation and local protocols for the prescription of drugs
2. types, properties, function, effect and contra-indications of drug groups
3. methods of drug administration
4. how to relate the prescription to the individual’s condition and treatment plan
5. how to balance potential side effects and benefits to the individual
6. causes and manifestations of individuals’ adverse reactions and appropriate responses
7. how to ensure that, as far as practicable, the prescription is cost-effective
8. how to record prescriptions clearly and accurately on appropriate documentation
9. how to review your prescribing practice in view of new guidelines and/or evidence
10. why you must remind the individual or their carer of the need for a new prescription after the final repeat prescription
11. how to ensure that unnecessary supplies are not made
12. why you must confirm consent for repeat prescriptions with dispensing pharmacists when requested
13. drugs commonly used in the treatment of long term conditions and their potential side effects
14. research evidence, national and local guidelines and policies for prescribing drugs for individuals at significant risk of long term conditions
15. the effects of long term condition medications on other health conditions
16. the range of medications and their effects and side effects
17. criteria for prescribing suitable medications (e.g. NICE guidelines)

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. relate the prescription (e.g. medicines, oxygen) to the individual’s treatment plan and condition (e.g. long term conditions diagnosis, co-morbidity, other medication taken by the individual)
2. balance potential side effects and benefits to the individual
3. specify the required quantity and/or titration
4. state the dose and frequency of administration
5. indicate the route for administration when the administration route is other than oral
6. define the end point of the prescription
7. ensure, as far as practicable, that the prescription is cost-effective
8. record the prescription clearly and accurately on appropriate documentation
9. review your prescribing practice in view of new guidelines and/or evidence.
10. keep a written record of requests from individuals or their carers for a repeat prescription
11. agree the period for which repeat prescriptions will be issued
12. remind the individual or their carer of the need for a new prescription at the time of final repeat prescription
13. ensure that unnecessary supplies are not made
14. record details of the repeat prescription clearly and accurately on appropriate documentation
15. confirm consent for repeat prescriptions with dispensing pharmacists when required

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and Treatments