Medicines are life-saving – when used correctly, they empower individuals to manage their health and enjoy a better quality of life. The UK spends approximately £17.4 billion on medications annually, which accounts for 10% of the NHS budget. With the rise in long-term conditions and comorbidities, the demand for medications will keep increasing. Moreover, there are over 237 million medication errors every year in prescribing, dispensing, or monitoring medications. The CHUMS (Care Homes’ Use of Medicines Study) report revealed that 70% of care home residents experienced at least one medication error daily. In light of these challenges, it is evident that sharing the right information at the right time with both health professionals and patients is crucial for improving patient safety, enhancing efficiency, and reducing waste and costs.

Digital technology is a key driver of this transformation. Electronic medication administration record systems (eMARs), such as Camascope’s, allow clinicians and pharmacists to accurately track medicine administration, reducing errors and addressing issues such as illegible handwriting and missed entries. This ensures that the correct medication is administered in a timely fashion. In an NHS case study involving 11 care homes using Camascope within the South West London NHS ICB, significant efficiency gains were demonstrated. For example, the time required to order medication decreased from 2 hours to 30 minutes, and weekly phone calls to the pharmacy were reduced from 4 hours to just 5 minutes. Additionally, morning rounds in care homes were shortened from 2 hours to 1.5 hours. These improvements not only lead to substantial cost savings by reducing administrative burdens but also allow staff to dedicate more time to direct, person-centered care. However, it’s essential to recognise that using standardised data is fundamental to harnessing the full benefits of these systems and improving medicine safety on a broader scale – and this is where PRB standards play a vital role.

For example, PRSB’s Community Pharmacy Standard defines the information that should be recorded by the community pharmacy and then shared with GPs, other healthcare services, and the individual. By including clinically relevant outcomes from pharmacy services, the standard aims to enhance medication safety and support medicines optimisation.

Another PRSB standard, the eDischarge Summary Standard enables hospitals to transfer all relevant patient information, including medications, to GP surgeries, care homes and community services upon discharge. This not only supports the continuity and effectiveness of care, but means the individual doesn’t have to repeat their medication information to each professional throughout their care and treatment journey.

eMAR solutions that adhere to PRSB standards are essential for driving the change in effective and safe medicines management, as well as ensuring continuity of care. By combining the advantages of digital technology with the benefits of the standards, these eMAR solutions significantly enhance communication and care co-ordination. Data standardisation enables more seamless integration between eMAR systems and care planning systems, leading to more joined-up care across GPs, pharmacists and hospitals, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Camascope’s eMAR solution exemplifies how digital innovation can significantly enhance medication safety and streamline care delivery. By leveraging standardised data, Camascope ensures that healthcare professionals have the accurate, timely information they need to provide the best possible care, contributing to safer, more efficient medication management across the healthcare continuum. Looking ahead, Camascope is planning to implement PRSB standards within its system, reinforcing its commitment to improving patient outcomes and ensuring seamless integration across healthcare services.