National Prescribing Indicators for 2018-2019
The National Prescribing Indicators for 2018–2019 have been prepared by a multiprofessional collaborative group, with support from the All Wales Prescribing Advisory Group (AWPAG) and the All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre (AWTTC), and subsequently endorsed by the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) at their February 2018 meeting.
National Prescribing Indicators (NPIs) are developed annually with the aim of promoting rational prescribing. The indicators are evidence-based and are designed to be clear, easily understood and allow health boards, primary care clusters, GP practices and prescribers to compare current prescribing practice against an agreed standard of quality.
The NPIs for 2018–2019 comprise twelve measures; each of which has been organised into one of three categories with a focus on safety, stewardship or efficiency. The new or updated NPIs for 2018–2019 include
:
- Prescribing Safety Indicators have been added (a series of measures aimed at identifying patients at high risk of adverse drug reactions and medicines-related harm in primary care, which will be monitored by Audit+);
- Co-amoxiclav, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones have been combined, with the addition of clindamycin, to create the 4C NPI;
- Colorectal surgical prophylaxis will now monitor the proportion of elective colorectal patients receiving a single dose antimicrobial for surgical prophylaxis;
- Yellow Card reporting NPI will now include those submitted in secondary care and by the public.