Improving medicines management

Innovation in medicine prescribing and patient information

Overview of the Project

The aim of the pilot project Is to improve the outpatient medicines management pathway. Enhance the safety of outpatient prescribing. Minimize wastage of medications and develop greater level of shared care principle between primary and secondary care. The project also explored innovative methods of patient information on medication self-administration as well as self care, such as internet based patient information videos for the self administration of certain injectable medicines, enhancing patient information, compliance and concordance to self care.

Involving the wider stakeholders in the process of transformational change enhanced the acceptance of the project and the success of the change process, though multi-stakeholder congruence on approach has been challenging. Clarity of communication in the aims of the project and an openness developed a shared approach of care.

Results
The outcomes of the project are both personal development; and service improvement. The project and the Clinical Leadership Fellowship Programme, helped me identify and develop my own personal leadership qualities and impact. The project has also engaged secondary and primary care key stakeholders in an open dialogue for the development of a shared care approach to out patient prescribing, and to improve the efficiency of the current system of prescribing and patient information methods. Mechanism for on going development of service quality, effectiveness and innovation is included with this project.

Leadership Challenges
The main challenges with the project were both internal, my own leadership development; and external, the multitude of stakeholders. As a clinician myself, I used various models of leadership and was able to critically evaluate the different styles and methods from the experience gained by undertaking the Clinical Leadership Fellowship Programme and the project. In the management of this challenging change project, a transformational leadership relationship and an open shared ownership approach was developed with the pharmacy services team and other key stakeholders, transcending professional and organizational boundaries, enabling innovation, problem solving and quality of service focus.

Small changes together, can bring about the biggest impact

Contact Information
Rajesh Karimbath Nurse Clinician

Rajesh.karimbath@sthk.nhs.uk 01514261600