Facts & Figures
• Since Pharmacy 7 day working began there has been a 70% increase in the number of
prescriptions processed in the dispensary at the weekend
• The service provided before September 2018 was a supply function only and there were
previously no prescriptions checked at ward level
• In the first quarter of 2020 there were 524 prescriptions checked at ward level representing
91% of all weekend prescriptions processed.
• Pharmacy will continue to provide a permanent 7 day service
• Regular review of the weekend activity will occur with the aim to allocate more staff to
ward based activities where possible.
NEXT STEPS
Insulin Safety
Insulin is one of the top 5 high risk medications world-wide. The number of patients diagnosed with
diabetes and requiring treatment with insulin is increasing. There have been a number of different
initiatives carried out in 2019/2020 to promote the safe use of insulin within the Trust.
Insulin safety week
• The Trust was one of 531 sites to participate in the first ever national
insulin safety campaign 'Insulin Safety Week' in May 2019
• A seven-day awareness campaign was organised and activities
included a daily quiz for staff with prizes such as free lunches for ward staff and drop in
sessions in the Diabetes Centre.
Making Insulin Treatment Safer (MITS)
• MITS is a novel educational approach for junior doctors and
aims to encourage them to partner with patients to ensure
insulin treatment is appropriately prescribed
• Case based discussions enable prescribers to reflect on their experiences
• Trained HCPs from the diabetes team and Pharmacy department across the Trust facilitated
foundation doctors (FDs), pre-registration doctors (FY0s) and dental trainees (DCTs) to reflect
on their insulin prescribing and to make commitments to prescribe insulin safely.
Good Diabetes Days
• The Trust, in conjunction with QUB, were awarded funding from the Health
Foundation to further develop MITS with the aim of ensuring
involvement in decisions about their insulin management becomes more
sustainable
• Using parameters from The National Diabetes Inpatient audit and support from patient
experience, a patient satisfaction survey on 'good diabetes days' was designed
• Clinical pharmacists working on adult wards in the Ulster Hospital are identifying patients to
anonymously complete the survey. Results will be analysed and reported once available.
Goal 3: Measuring the Improvement
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