title: Five key recommendations for the implementation of Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration systems in Scotland.
abstract: NHS Scotland is about to embark on the implementation of Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (HEPMA) systems. There are a number of risks associated with such ventures, thus drawing on existing experiences from other settings is crucial in informing deployment.Drawing on our previous and ongoing work in English settings as well as the international literature, we reflect on key lessons that NHS Scotland may wish to consider in going forward. These deliberations include recommendations surrounding key aspects of deployment strategy surrounding: 1) the way central coordination should be conceptualised, 2) how flexibility in can be ensured, 3) paying attention to optimising systems from the outset, 4) how expertise should be developed and centrally shared, and 5) ways in which learning from experience can be maximised.Our five recommendations will, we hope, provide a starting point for the strategic deliberations of policy makers. Throughout this journey, it is important to view the deployment of HEPMA as part of a wider strategic goal of creating integrated digital infrastructures across Scotland.
authors.affiliation: Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh. kathrin.beyer@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cresswell
authors.affiliation: . ann.slee@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slee
authors.affiliation: . aziz.sheikh@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheikh
mesh_terms: D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D055695:Electronic Prescribing; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital; D009313:National Health Programs; D012606:Scotland
keywords: hospital electronic prescribing and medicines administration, implementation