Home Forums Discussions Feedback and Recommendations tubes, quantity sufficient, 3 month supply, etc.

How do others deal with wanting to electronically transmit "3 month supply" etc for quantity on meds. The prescription writer seems to only accept numbers (1,7,14, etc.) and not things like "quantity sufficient", "60gm tube", 3 month supply that come in ever so handy for prescriptions for creams, insulin where the patient may use a range, prn's, etc. I have just gone to printing the prescriptions out for the patients to take along, but sometimes transmitting is easier for me and the patient and saves me the trouble of popping in and out of the patient room to take paper off the printer.

You are correct in that it only takes numbers. Not even spaces. I think they are working on this. I ePrescribe EVERYTHING except controlled substances. Two things:

1. You can use the comment section so that if you send a 30 grams tube of Westcort cream. You can write 30 in the dispense field and then 30 grams in the comments. Or, you can write one large tube.
Downside besides time, the comment stays there so you have to remember that.

2. Most pharmacists are pretty bright and figure out your intent, e.g.

a) Cipro capsules Disp: 20 They will know that 20 = 20 capsules
b) Cefzil suspension 250 mg/5mL Disp: 100 They will know that 100 = 100mL
c) Triamcinolone topical cream 0.1% Disp 60 They will know that 60 = grams

If not, they are just being ridiculous or they can call you.

Took some time for someone not as bright as Bert to figure this out but I have started to do the same thing and it usually works. Sometimes, however, I will write i.e 100 meaning 100 cc and it will not transmit because it says it is not a correct value for the medication. Then I have to keep guessing till I get one that works and explain to the pharmacist that I don't really need 240 ml when 60 will do but "THE PROGRAM MADE ME DO IT"

I sure miss the days of writing QS as it always gave our pharmacists a chuckle to say "she makes us do the math". But I love etransmitting so I will give up the simple pleasure.

On those, are you absolutely positive that there isn't a space. If I use just a number and I get an error, I wipe the whole number out and start over.

How many pharmacies in North Dakota? You could call them all up and tell them that 88 = QS, lol. Then, they would not only have to do the math, they would have to remember the code.

Speaking of dispened amount and sigs, etc.; it always kills me when I write 5 mLs or 1 tsp po bid for 10 days clearly being 100 mLs. Then I screw up on the dispensed by writing 80. And, they always call back asking which one is correct. I am always thinking "which one do you think is most likely to be the wrong entry?" But, I guess they don't have a choice. Of course, there is the theory that for each pharmacist who calls, probably five just go with the sig.

I sometimes give up and enter "30" for the quantity and then type in the comments box:" Correct sig is: Two tsp PO Q four hours prn cough. Dispense 8 oz, thanks,"
They probably treat it as a Faxed or phoned in Rx. As long as they don't call me, I am OK with it.

I really do not have any problems - I can think 2 times in the last month that I didn't know the qty - it was a cream or lotion (I think Elimite - Bert probably knows what size it comes in). I do not use the quick scrip writer - I think it is much better to just type in your instructions using plain english - reduces chance of errors and lets you use Letter Writer and Updated Medication List to generate a list for the pt. to carry.

I also write 45 as the qty for lots of creams/ointments and if it comes in a 30 the pharmacy just lowers it and dispenses it. I have been using NewCrop and then the Version 5 eprescribing for over a year and it gets easier if you just don't over analyze it.

I would have to agree. I don't know why, but I am blessed/cursed to want others to have easier ways/days/life.

Martin, unless you are getting rejections, just put the number of whatever you would put in the past.

Even if you have to write in the comment section 30 grams, 30 mLs, etc., you shouldn't have to write in the entire sig. We have rather nitpicky pharmacies in town. Riteaid looks for reasons to call us back. And, NO pharmacy has called us on the amount dispensed.

I actually think there is more room for error if you write in an amount you do not actually mean. I would think you would be better off with 0.

Cream, topical: 5% (60 g)

Acticin®: 5% (60 g) [contains coconut oil]

Elimite®: 5% (60 g) [contains coconut oil]

Liquid, topical [creme rinse formulation]:

Nix® Complete Lice Treatment System: 1% (1s) [contains isopropyl alcohol 20%]

Nix® Creme Rinse: 1% (60 mL) [contains isopropyl alcohol 20%]

Nix® Creme Rinse Lice Treatment: 1% (60 mL) [contains isopropyl alcohol 20%]

Liquid, topical [for bedding, furniture and garments/spray]:

Nix® Lice Control Spray: 0.25% (150 mL)

Lotion, topical: 1% (60 mL)

Solution, topical [for bedding, furniture and garments/spray]:

A200® Lice: 0.5% (170.1 g)

Rid®: 0.5% (150 mL)
______________

I have this memorized, although I confess I do sometimes forget garments.

I am trying to figure out if Bert is still up at 5:45 am or if he has gotten up this early to check the User Board....either way it is way early. The only sad thing is that I am doing this at 3:35 am after coming to the ER for a complaint that started a month ago and has been bad the last 48 hours.....

I think he has figured out a way to post automatic replies at random hours. We all ask him the same questions, time after time.

For some reason, I just couldn't stop itching, so I got up and checked the board.