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Background: Children are frequently prescribed unlicensed and off-label medicines meaning dosing and administration of medicines to children is often based on poor quality guidance. In UK hospitals, nursing staff are often responsible for administering medications. Medication Errors [MEs] are problematic for health services, though are poorly reported and therefore difficult to quantify with confidence. In the UK, children's medicines require administration by at least two members of ward staff, known as a 'second check' system, thought to reduce Medication Administration Errors [MAEs].Objectives: To assess the impact on working practices of the introduction of a new way of working, using Technician Enhanced Administration of Medications [TEAM] on two specialist wards within a children's' hospital. To evidence any potential impact of a TEAM ward-based pharmacy technician [PhT] on the reporting of MEs.Methods: A TEAM PhT was employed on two wards within the children's hospital and trained in medicines administration. Firstly, an observational pre-and-post cohort design was used to identify the effect of TEAM on MEs. We analysed the hospital's official reporting system for incidents and 'near misses', as well as the personal incident log of the TEAM PhT. Secondly, after implementation, we interviewed staff about their perceptions of TEAM and its impact on working practices.Results: We affirm MEs are considerably under-reported in hospital settings, but TEAM PhTs can readily identify them. Further, placing TEAM PhTs on wards may create opportunities for inter-professional knowledge exchange and increase nurses' awareness of potential MAEs, although this requires facilitation.Conclusions: TEAM PhT roles may be beneficial for pharmacy technicians' motivation, job satisfaction, and career development. Hospitals will need to consider the balance between resources invested in TEAM PhTs and the level of impact on reporting MEs. Health economic analyses could provide evidence to fully endorse integration of TEAM PhTs for all hospital settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the UK, non-medical prescribers (NMPs) are a significant part of the healthcare workforce. Little is known about their self-efficacy when prescribing, and their willingness to take responsibility for prescribing decisions.Objective: To explore the perceptions of NMPs regarding their self-efficacy in prescribing and responsibility for prescribing decisions.Methods: Cross-sectional survey of a purposive sample of NMPs on acute medical units (AMUs) across the UK. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory informed the self-efficacy aspect of the questionnaire. Participants' views were also sought on responsibility for prescribing decisions. For quantitative data descriptive statistics were calculated. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions determined whether five independent variables improved the prediction of self-efficacy in aspects of prescribing: NMP's profession; length of time qualified as a healthcare professional and as an NMP; the number of items prescribed and hours worked per week on an AMU. Framework analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.Results: Ninety-nine valid responses were obtained. Self-efficacy overall was high. The longer the participant had been qualified as an NMP was associated with increased self-efficacy in certain aspects of prescribing. All physiotherapists, and more nurses than pharmacists were responsible for prescribing decisions. Where participants were not fully responsible, the responsibility was partial or shared.Conclusions: Self-efficacy of NMPs when prescribing is influenced by several factors. The variables within this study appear to account for only a small part of this self-efficacy. Self-efficacy in prescribing appears to contribute to NMPs' willingness to take responsibility for prescribing decisions; further influenced by their job role and the prescribing this entails. Stakeholders need to appreciate the full range of factors that influence the self-efficacy of NMPs when prescribing, and the association of this to take responsibility for prescribing decisions. This knowledge will assist in maximising the benefits of non-medical prescribing within the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a qualitative research study using focus groups to explore the views and experiences of a medicines management team (MMT) on the service they deliver within a 'Virtual Ward' (VW); and those of the wider multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals on the service provided by the MMT. Several themes emerged from the focus groups, including impact on patients and carers, team working and issues and challenges. A dedicated MMT was seen as a positive contribution to the VW, which potentially increased the quality of patient care, and appeared to be a positive experience for both the MM and wider multidisciplinary team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]