To avoid prescription errors:
Open the prescription form:
To write a new prescription, click line for the chemo med needing a prescription, then click Add Prescription.
To view or edit an existing prescription, click line for the prescription ("Take Home Prescription"), then click View/Edit Prescription.
If you want to manually enter patient directions, click to check As Directed Prescription (Enter Directions Below). The text for the Sig line will read "See Directions", rather than being constructed automatically from the dose, form, frequency, and duration.
Select a Strength from the drop-down list. If Other, type a description, then click OK (ALT+O).
If you have not checked As Directed Prescription, select the appropriate Dose, Form, and Frequency.
If needed, type the number of days for the administration duration—for ___ day(s).
Type a Dispense amount, then select the appropriate form. Day(s) and Month(s) supply are at the end of the list.
Type the number of Refills allowed, if any.
If needed, type a description in the Directions field.
The scheduled days are automatically added to the directions.
Directions are required if you checked As Directed Prescription, which automatically defines the Sig as "See Directions".
If you did not check As Directed Prescription, directions should not conflict with the Sig that is automatically constructed from the dose, form, frequency, and duration.
Directions print on the prescription.
To avoid prescription errors:
Include a brief notation of purpose (e.g., "for cough"), unless inappropriate.
Do not use vague instructions such as "Take as directed" as the sole direction for use.
Avoid use of abbreviations and Latin directions for use.
No Substitutions is selected by default. Click to uncheck if appropriate.
Click Sign/Print.
When prompted:
Type your clinical signing key.
Click to select printing options. You can opt to print to the pharmacy or to the local printer, or to both, or not to print at all.
Click OK.
You can write more than one prescription for the same chemo medication order. Prescriptions are not replicated when chemo order sessions split for activation by week. See Overview of Chemo Activation.
The prescription is active immediately on signing the chemo order session, or if needed, after the session is authorized or approved.
If you opt to print, nothing will print until the chemo orders are signed, and authorized or approved if needed. See Overview of Chemotherapy Approval or Authorization.
Once active, the prescription cannot be edited.
Prescriptions are carried forward when ordering from previous. See Overview of Reusing Previous Chemo Orders.
To print or reprint the prescription:
From the active orders list to the local printer—see Printing Active Orders: Prescription for Oral Investigational Chemo Medication.
From the reprint queue—see Reprinting Prescriptions.