Safety & quality
National Inpatient Medication Chart
Australia's Health Ministers agreed, that in order to reduce harm to patients from medication errors, all public hospitals are to use a common medication chart by June 2006. This means that the same chart will be used wherever a doctor or nurse works and wherever a patient is within a hospital.
The development of the National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC) was informed by research into common causes of medication incidents and work practice mapping. It incorporates design features and forcing functions which support safe medication practice.
Implementation in South Australian public hospitals was completed in 2007.
Further developments since then include:
- release of a new version in January 2009
- release of a paediatric version in 2009
- release of an A4 version in 2010. This version can be incorporated into electronic prescribing systems to assist adoption of the chart in rural and remote areas.
Medication charts
Long Stay Version D (PDF 336KB)
Long Stay Version E (PDF 602KB)
A4 four page version (PDF 113KB)
Ordering medication charts
Medication charts are available from Openbook Howden Design and Printing.
Address: 6-12 Paul Street St Marys South Australia
Telephone: (08) 8277 2511
Fax: (08) 8277 2354
South Australian Change Register
South Australian hospitals have the opportunity to submit suggestions and feedback for amendments to a state register which will be submitted to the national register. Major amendments will only be considered if accompanied by supporting audit data.
More details about the NIMC, including audit and support materials can be found at the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s (ACSQHC).
Contact
Naomi Burgess
Pharmacy Consultant
Telephone: (08) 8226 7375
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