In this section : Diabetes and Endocrinology
: Renal
: Safe and Effective Use of Medicines
Prescribing for CAU Patients Still in ED
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Clozapine
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Methadone/Buprenorphine
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Corticosteroids
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Items Not Prescribed by GP
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Patients on Chemotherapy Regimes
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Medication for Parkinson’s Disease
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Insulin
Prescribing Advice on Admission
Gentamicin & Vancomycin
Greener Inhaler Prescribing
Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines
Blood Glucose & Steroids
Prescribing Advice on Admission – Insulin
Last updated 18th November 2022
Safe and Effective Prescribing and Use of Medicines for Patient Safety
- More medication and prescribing incidents in D&G inpatients are related to insulins than any other medication. Please take extra care!
- Always prescribe on both HEPMA and IPAR (pink chart) at point of admission.
- Clarify dose with patient / carer / relative / district nurses / GP / Diabetes Specialist Nurse. Often the dose is on a previous recent IDL.
- If you cannot find a dose, calculate one using the information on the front of IPAR. Never leave insulin unprescribed for the next team to sort out.
- Do not abbreviate the word “units” in any way – just write the number.
- Always double-check that what you have prescribed makes sense as a regime.
- Watch for selection errors on HEPMA – it is easy to confuse Novomix with Novorapid, or Humulin I with Humulin S.
- Ensure you have selected the correct device (for example pre-filled pen or cartridge). If in doubt, prescribe the pre-filled pen initially.
- Ensure the pink insulin chart (IPAR) & HEPMA match!
Approved by Medicines Safety Group/Formulary Group/Area Drugs and Therapeutic Committee, NHS Dumfries and Galloway