1. Generic
medication names are preferred when inputting new prescriptions.
Exception: Enter the brand name of the medication if you think the
generic name
would cause confusion
Example: use Tylenol #3 instead of Acetaminophen/Codeine/Caffeine
2. Some medications provided on Ontario Drug Benefit require a Limited Use Code (LU Code). When you prescribe the medication, PSS will prompt you to select an LU code.
3. Use
the Instructions field for medication instructions for the
patient and any
other pertinent information. Information placed here, will appear
on refills.
4. Use
the Instructions for Pharmacy field to communication changes to
the pharmacist
such as stopping medications, increasing a dose, decreasing
a dose etc.,
Information placed here will appear for the original prescription,
but not on subsequent refills.
5. Narcotics
cannot be refilled. You can issue part fills
with intervals.
E.g. Dispense 60 tabs q 30 days
6. If
you issue less than a 28 day supply of medication, the Auto
Discontinue button
will be triggered. The system will assume that the prescription
is for short-term use.
This is appropriate for short term drugs such as antibiotics. If
you do not wish a medication to disappear from the profile, be
sure to uncheck this button.
7. In
order to avoid frequent refill requests for medications
that you anticipate the patient
will be taking over a long period of time, consider prescribing a one
year supply
(90 days supply with 3 repeats). Make sure you follow through
with recommended monitoring for the medication/therapy.
8. Red
warnings indicate very significant safety concerns (drug-drug
interactions;
drug-disease interactions, allergies). You will need to select the manage
button
before the system will allow you to prescribe the drug.
Consult pharmacy if you need advice.
9. Sometimes
a “dosage checking not available” indicator appears. PSS
may be
looking for you to fill in a field or it will also appear if you
are a prescribing a medication that is not currently listed in
the drug database.
In general, is best to choose the desired medication product
instead of a
specific dosing regimen, when selecting from the Medication Tree
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