A 'compass' for general practitioner prescribers.
This paper records the result of research and development in interrogating a general practitioner prescription pricing database to provide customised analysis for every practice. The system 'COMPASS' (Computerised On-line Monthly Prescribing Analysed for Science and Stewardship) is described, and identifies instances where each practice might improve cost-effectiveness and scientific rationality in prescribing. One hundred and two such instances are interrogated. This initial COMPASS report is then supplemented by screening the database to show a practice's: 1. range of drugs used--an excessive range should be discouraged. 2. use of drugs often used imprecisely--eg, antibiotics. 3. predicted prescribing cost--based on practice demography. 4. use of drugs with very limited GP value--eg, peripheral vasodilators. Northern Irish fundholding general practitioners are finding COMPASS valuable in planning improvement in cost-effectiveness and quality.
McGavock
H
H
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Wilson-Davis
K
K
Rafferty
T
T
D017046:Cost Savings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016208:Databases, Factual; D016527:Drug Costs; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009660:Northern Ireland; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics