The potential of ePMA data for measuring and reporting outcomes

Electronic prescribing and medication administration (ePMA) systems provide a robust framework for traceability and data collection, significantly enhancing the ability to improve patient outcomes.

Given the complexity of medication use, which involves numerous steps and multiple healthcare professionals, the potential for errors is high. However, leveraging ePMA data can mitigate these risks and streamline the reporting process.

Our Better Meds community event was a great opportunity to spark a discussion on some of the most efficient ways to improve patient care. Through an engaging workshop, we explored the ways ePMA data can be harnessed to measure and report outcomes effectively. This session underscored the critical role that detailed medication data plays in improving patient safety and care quality.

Categorising reporting opportunities

Our discussion on reporting opportunities centred on three primary areas:

2. Quality reporting

Quality reporting focuses on the responsible use of medications, assessing both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of medication management.

This includes:

• Qualitative data gathered through yes/no questions.
• Quantitative data tracking changes over time.
• Quantitative data assessing system performance outcomes.
  
  

Dora Žmuc, MD and Product Manager at Better Meds, showcased how these quality reports can be generated using data from the Better Meds ePMA. This approach allows healthcare providers to monitor and improve the quality of medication usage continuously.

3. Financial reporting

With medication expenses on the rise, financial reporting is becoming increasingly crucial. Better Meds addresses this need by offering several key data points for analysis:

• Medication expense per patient day.
• Generic medication percentage.
• Percentage of refilled prescriptions.
• Number of prescriptions dispensed per day.
• Percentage of expired drugs in pharmacies.
• Percentage of high-cost medications prescribed.

These data points provide a comprehensive overview of medication-related expenditures, enabling healthcare providers to manage costs more effectively.

Workshop wrap-up

Following an informative presentation, workshop participants engaged in a dynamic roleplay exercise. Attendees simulated a multi-disciplinary group meeting tasked with addressing the increased demand for enhanced reporting in an acute NHS trust setting utilising Better Meds as ePMA.

This interactive session revealed several common themes and priorities, including the importance of:

• Integrating qualitative and quantitative data.
• Measuring care processes and outcomes.
• Focusing on patient safety and quality of care.
  
  

By acting out these scenarios, participants gained practical insights into how to implement effective reporting strategies in their own organisations.

The workshop underscored the transformative potential of ePMA data in improving medication management and patient outcomes. By categorising reporting opportunities into patient-level data collections, quality reporting, and financial reporting, Better Meds provides a comprehensive toolkit for healthcare providers. As healthcare systems continue to evolve, leveraging such data will be crucial in enhancing patient safety, care quality, and financial efficiency.

This topic was presented at our community event in April. For insight into other interesting topics we discussed, you can download the report below.