Electronic Grampian Joint Formulary for Gpass
The main aim of the electronic formulary is to promote safe and cost-effective prescribing available to prescribers in General Practice at the point of prescribing. The entries are based on the Grampian Joint Formulary and in the eGJF-Gpass formulary drugs are accessed via the encounter screen by clicking on the 'Formulary' button and then entering the diagnosis.
Gpass is a disease-based formulary. Why disease-based?
There are a number of advantages of having a disease-based formulary:
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Using the drug dictionary to access the drug requires you to remember which drugs are in the formulary, something that is not always easy! By listing the drugs under the diagnosis you simply have to input the diagnosis to bring up the formulary preparations.
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The disease-based approach is also useful in General Practice training. By inputting the diagnosis the GP Registrar will be offered the formulary choice drugs appropriate to the condition, in the correct dosage, hence acting as a form of decision support.
Which Diseases?
Initially CMR data was analysed and the top fifty diagnoses seen in everyday General Practice were chosen. Over time a few more have been added and whilst we cannot cover every occurrence it is hoped that this approach will cover the most commonly encountered diagnoses.
Arrangement of Information
In order to provide ease of use, medication is accessed using diagnosis/disease codes eg, asthma, uti, hpylori. This promotes the selection of appropriate formulary choice medication.
Medication is referred to throughout by generic name unless the preparation is required to be prescribed by brand name eg, modified-release products which have different bioavailability.
A BNF coding system is also included but only for a few chapters - ACBS includes nutritional supplements, ENT, URO, and VAC for vaccines.
Medication is referred to throughout by generic name unless the preparation is required to be prescribed by brand name eg, modified-release products which have different bioavailability.
A BNF coding system is also included but only for a few chapters - ACBS includes nutritional supplements, ENT, URO, and VAC for vaccines.
Formulary Coding Chart
A code chart has been produced and acts as an aide memoir for the diagnoses and BNF codes included in the eGJF-Gpass. The letters highlighted in red are those that need to be entered so that only one diagnosis/disease selection is visible.
Prescribing Information
All entries have details of strength, frequency and quantities selected. These details can be changed and are intended to act as a guide for doses and length of therapy. This information is particularly useful in the case of paediatric doses. Doses relating to varying ages are incorporated under many sections eg, allergy, asthma.
Messages
Some of the entries contain messages that are intended to be seen by the General Practitioner and the patient. An example is clotrimazole cream where the message states that 'cream should be applied for 14 days after lesions have healed.' When the item is prescribed the messages are printed on the right hand side of the prescription.
Maintenance
The electronic formulary items are 'named' to facilitate their appearance in a sequenced order. To prevent loss of this sequencing or loss of information when the eGJF-Gpass is updated it is strongly recommended that no additions/changes are made by practices or individuals to the eGJF-Gpass. Should you wish to consider adding an item would you please discuss this with your CHP pharmacy manager.
Installation:
The installation of the eGJF-Gpass is very easy. Your CHP/practice pharmacist has received training on importing the eGJF-Gpass and will be able to help load this file into Gpass.