title: Out-of-hours prescribing: a survey of current practice in the UK.
abstract: This postal survey was developed to establish the current practice for out-of-hours (OOH) prescribing accepted in palliative care units throughout the UK. Around 144 palliative care units were sent a questionnaire and 94 units responded (65.3%). All of the responding units had non-resident medical on call cover. Although verbal orders currently appear to be the most popular communication method for OOH prescribing (84.1%), there was a wide range of other communication systems in use including email, fax and BlackBerry. There appears to be a lack of specific guidance and clarity relating to the use of remote prescribing. It seems that guidance has not kept up with changes in working patterns and technology, and in time this will hopefully change. In the meantime, all staff groups should be involved in the development of local procedures and policies appropriate to local circumstances, which pay due regard to the relevant legislation and clinical governance standards available at the time.
authors.affiliation: Trinity Hospice, London, UK. amanda.gregory@gstt.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wanklyn
mesh_terms: D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom