Tue 25 July 2023
Partnered pharmacist prescribing ‘benefits at every level’ as SHPA launches National PPMC Credential
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) in partnership with The Alfred has launched a National Credential recognising Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC), an innovative care model proven to reduce medication errors, length of stay and hospital costs.
Recognising both new and previously-credentialed pharmacists, the National PPMC Credential supports the safe translation of partnered pharmacist prescribing between hospitals and jurisdictions, with tailored service reflecting the evolving landscape and different stages of PPMC programs in different states and territories.
SHPA President Tom Simpson says the new credential is a step forward for pharmacist scope of practice within the care team.
‘The earliest iterations of pharmacist prescribing in Australia were in our hospitals, and SHPA is leading the way in supporting the safe rollout of this collaborative care approach to reach more Australians.
‘Embedding PPMC in all hospitals is a fundamental recommendation of SHPA’s Position Statement on Medication Safety, making patient care 10 times safer for our patients, who spend 10% less time in hospital as a result.
‘SHPA’s National PPMC Credential allows this collaborative approach to patient care to be implemented across the country, including rural and regional settings where credentialling has previously been a barrier.
'As well as the benefits to our patients, SHPA’s National PPMC Credential is also a boost for the practice scope and career opportunities for pharmacists all over Australia, and we will continue to invest in robust programs that recognise the unique expertise and experience of our pharmacists and technicians.
‘As the benefits of collaborative prescribing models become more evident, legislative barriers are falling, with Partnered Pharmacist Medication Prescribing (PPMP) representing the next evolution of this gamechanging approach to medication management. SHPA’s National PPMC Credential is truly future-proof, recognising the clinical decision-making skills that underpin all forms of collaborative prescribing, thus encompassing both PPMC and PPMP.’
Professor Michael Dooley, Director of Pharmacy at Alfred Health and Professor of Clinical Pharmacy of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Monash University, says partnered pharmacist prescribing has been in Australia for over a decade.
‘First developed and evaluated at The Alfred Hospital in 2012, the Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC) model sees appropriately credentialed pharmacists work closely with doctors to undertake a medication review and chart medications for nursing staff to administer.
'Through this collaborative educational and assessment model we are excited that the expertise and experience of Alfred Health pharmacists is a key component in this important initiative and look forward to further uptake into even more Australian hospitals.’
Mr Simpson says the National Credential is a key element of SHPA’s Transformation 2024 agenda. ‘As centres of excellence our hospitals continue to drive specialty development in Australian pharmacy, honing the precise medicines knowledge and skills of pharmacists and technicians to ensure their safe and timely use.
‘Specialty pharmacy is a cornerstone of Transformation 2024 and the foundation of innovations reducing delays to treatment and the length of hospital stays; these include collaborative prescribing as well as pharmacist-led stewardship programs in antimicrobial, anticoagulant, analgesic, and antipsychotic treatments.
‘With benefits at every level – for patient safety and outcomes, the synergy of the healthcare team, as well as the efficiency of our healthcare systems – partnered prescribing is only going to grow, as will SHPA’s support.’