How to improve patient safety with contactless prescriptions

Contactless forms of prescriptions, like e-prescribing, improve patient safety by negating the need for contact between the patient and the one dispensing the medication, minimising errors and streamlining the prescribing process.

E-prescriptions are becoming increasingly common in the UK - making the process significantly safer and more efficient for doctors, pharmacists and patients.

The contactless nature of e-prescriptions means that patients can easily get the medication they need, wherever they are based.

If you’re a private clinic looking to go contactless, explore Healistic digital prescription platform. With this platform, private doctors can issue e-prescriptions in seconds with software that is free to use, 100% compliant and hassle-free.

What Types of Contactless Prescriptions are There?

Contactless prescriptions are any prescriptions which are transmitted and dispensed without the need for physical contact between the patient and medication practitioner or pharmacist.

Electronic Prescriptions

Electronic prescriptions (or e-prescriptions) are a way for doctors to send prescriptions electronically. This can be done via SMS or email and works like a QR code or token. Patients can present this token at the pharmacy for dispensing or doctors can send the prescription directly to the pharmacy.

Prescribing electronically streamlines the process and negates the need for handling physical paper, making it more hygienic.

Contactless Delivery or Pick Up

Certain pharmacies can offer contactless delivery or pickup to minimise the direct contact. This involves leaving the medication in a designated spot or an automated kiosk or locker at the pharmacy. These might work digitally with a PIN code or QR code.

Patients can pick up their medication without needing to interact or having physical contact with anyone. This can be good if the patient is contagious but also offers privacy for any sensitive medications.

Some services even offer door-to-door delivery so that the patient doesn’t need to even leave their house to get their medication.

Why are Contactless Prescriptions Safer Than Paper Prescriptions?

Zero Contact

With contactless prescriptions, it removes the need for physical contact between the patient and pharmacy staff or healthcare professionals - especially if the prescription was also issued in a telehealth appointment. This minimises potential exposure to illness if the patient is contagious.

Delivery straight to the patient’s door can minimise the risk of contagion even further and mean that the patient doesn’t need to leave their home when they’re feeling unwell.

Reduced Medication Errors

Contactless prescription methods, like e-prescribing, reduces the risk of misinterpreting handwritten prescriptions due to things like transcription errors or hard-to-read handwriting.

Safer Medical Decisions

Because the software used for e-prescriptions integrates with the clinic medical database, it can flag any potential drug interactions, patient allergies or contradictions. This means that doctors can make rapid, informed decisions to issue the right medication.

E-prescriptions also ensure standardised information across prescriptions, including medication names, dosages and medication instructions.

Improved Efficiency and Streamlined Processes

With contactless prescriptions, there’s no need for manual processes and clarifications at different stages. This makes the prescription process faster, reduces wait times and minimises any risks associated with manual medication handling.

E-prescriptions rely on real-time patient medication information, reducing potential medication errors due to outdated or conflicting information.

Better Patient Adherence

One of the biggest advantages of contactless prescriptions is that they make it extremely convenient for patients. By leaving the medication ready for collection in a designated spot - or even delivering the medication straight to the patient - it makes it far more convenient for patients, potentially resulting in better adherence to prescribed medications.

This convenience has also demonstrated reduced abandonment rates for prescriptions with patients more likely to pick up their medications in a timely manner.

Reaches Remote Patients

Contactless prescription and e-prescriptions facilitate remote patients getting the medication they need, when they need it.

Thanks to online appointments and electronic prescriptions, patients can get the medication they need directly to their address or to a convenient pick up spot - even if they live in a remote area.

How Can Patient Safety be Improved?

Patient safety can be improved from the moment that the prescription is issued. Medical professionals need to take into account specific patient characteristics and drug factors to avoid any adverse drug reactions. Switching to e-prescriptions means this is done automatically - allowing doctors to make quick, safe decisions for their patients.

Transmitting prescriptions electronically rather than physically also enhances patient safety as it minimises risks that come with handwritten prescriptions (such as misinterpretation of handwriting).

Delivering medication directly to the patient’s local pharmacy or even to their home can further improve patient safety. It means that patients can get hold of the medication they need, when they need it - even in remote areas - allowing them to act fast to cure their illness.

How Can Healthcare Professionals Ensure Safe Prescribing?

Any healthcare professionals issuing a prescription should promote safety through:

• Being able to give reasons for prescribing the particular medication
• Considering patient medical history, allergies and any potential drug interactions
• Taking into account patient preferences where relevant

Safe Contactless Prescriptions with Healistic

Healistic e-prescription software for private clinics lets doctors issue prescriptions straight from their laptop, tablet or phone in seconds. With easy integration with existing medical databases, it ensures safe and informed prescribing decisions.

All e-prescriptions are 100% GDPR and ICO compliant and, with instant transmission to a nationwide network of pharmacy partners, medication is dispensed safely and dispatched immediately.

Patients can receive medication right to their door within as little as 2 hours (for London patients) and up to 24 hours across the rest of the UK - for a safe, easy and contactless experience for everyone.