By Prescribing medication is one of the main ways in which clinicians work to treat illnesses and prevent conditions from worsening. Modern healthcare is based on enhancing a patient’s well-being and ensuring the best outcomes, but even the most reliable medicines can harm a person if they are not used appropriately. From mild complications to more severe reactions and even fatalities, many simple prescribing mistakes can have a significant impact on the health of patients. FNPs rely on their clinical knowledge to ensure they use the correct dosing protocols. However, the aptitudes they refined at university and their continued professional development are also key to keeping patients safe.
New Opportunities For Family Nurse Practitioners
Recent changes in legislation mean that in some states, family nurse practitioners can prescribe medication independently. This opens up a vast range of career opportunities for registered nurses who want to pursue a more senior role in healthcare and work with more autonomy. Although some professionals have been held back by lengthy, inflexible training programs, the introduction of online courses at universities such as Rockhurst has removed that barrier to qualification.
Certified nurses can take online post graduate FNP programs at Rockhurst University, that removes the need to travel huge distances. Students can even complete their practical residencies at local facilities. Along with clinical rotations, the program combines expert tuition with a rigorous schedule of coursework, and students can expect to graduate in just 15 months.
What Prescribing Practices Do Fnps Follow?
To keep patients safe, FNPs follow a number of established practices, these include:
Clarity On Why The Prescription Is Needed
Before handing over a prescription, a clinician should understand why they are offering the medication. This will involve establishing a diagnosis before considering the treatment. Although this can be a challenge, especially in an office environment with no testing, it’s always best practice. Furthermore, there should be a clear idea of how the patient will benefit from taking the drug.
Consider The Patient’s Medical History
Electronic health records have made it easier than ever for health professionals who need to access a patient’s medical history. They should endeavor to find a list of the current medications a person is taking—this will include a look at both drugs and supplements. These checks can help to avoid the risk of one medication canceling out the effect of another. If the FNP is not sure of a particular interaction, they should check using a reliable source before prescribing. They should also check a person’s records for any prior adverse reactions or allergies, and gain confirmation from the patient, their family, or their carer if necessary.
Know What Factors Could Affect The Treatment
For each patient, there are individual factors that will impact how well the treatment will work and the level of risk involved with taking it. These might include the age of a patient, the state of their mental health, and whether or not they are pregnant. Furthermore, patients with impaired heart, liver or kidney function may be at increased risk of a reaction when it comes to certain medications, and this, of course, must be considered.
Listen To The Patient’s Perspective
Sharing ideas with a patient builds a relationship of trust and can lead to more effective communication, but it’s also crucial for good prescribing practice. Finding out what concerns a patient has about their treatment and what they expect from any course of medication can offer valuable insights. It can establish that they are happy with the treatment that’s being planned for them and help them understand why they have to take it.
Factor In Safety And Effectiveness, As Well As Cost
Patients need to know what they stand to gain from the prescribed medication, as well as the risks. The FNP will present them with an idea of how these factors balance out. They will also choose the best dosage to begin the treatment. In the vast majority of cases, this will involve starting low and gradually increasing the amount if required. The patient’s response should be monitored regularly to inform any decisions made regarding an increase.
Use Established, Legal Guidelines To Complete Each Prescription
The FDA, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, publishes guidelines on the appropriate use of prescription drugs. These guidelines and formularies are vital for FNPs who are designing a course of treatment. All medical professionals should feel confident in accessing the information they need and knowing which sources are reliable.
Write Prescriptions Legally And Use The Correct Terms
Medication errors can easily be caused by lapses of attention or distractions, even if the professional has extensive medical knowledge and training. By following the standard procedure for writing a prescription, not rushing the process, and being meticulous about using the official terms, FNPs can be confident in their administration of a drug.
Be Alert To Adverse Effects
Some medications will put an FNP on high alert, these are often ones that contain opiates or sedatives of some kind. Part of prescribing is a readiness to monitor the effect of any medication, not just those with a high level of risk. Before prescribing, the practitioner should establish how they will make an assessment and in what way the prescription could be adapted once the data has been gathered.
Documenting Why A Prescribing Decision Was Made
FNPs will always update their patient’s health records, adding details of the prescription given and the discussion that was had beforehand. This means future prescriptions can be written safely and with full knowledge of previous treatments. Moreover, it helps both the medical professional and the patient avoid instances of needless repetition.
Role Of Medication Principles
By adhering to established principles of prescribing, healthcare professionals can ensure that medications are prescribed appropriately, tailored to individual patient needs, and administered in a manner that maximizes therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks.
Here’s why principles are important in medication prescription:
1. Patient Safety:
The foremost principle guiding medication prescription is patient safety. Healthcare providers must carefully evaluate factors such as medical history, allergies, concurrent medications, and potential drug interactions to minimize the risk of adverse reactions and medication errors. By adhering to safety protocols and prescribing guidelines, providers can mitigate the risk of harm to patients and promote optimal health outcomes.Â
2. Efficacy:
Medications should be prescribed based on evidence-based principles of efficacy, ensuring that patients receive treatments that are likely to provide therapeutic benefits for their specific condition. Healthcare providers must consider factors such as the patient’s diagnosis, disease severity, comorbidities, and response to previous treatments when selecting appropriate medications.
By prescribing medications with demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials and real-world practice, providers can maximize the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes for their patients.Â
3. Individualized Care:
One-size-fits-all approaches to medication prescription are rarely appropriate given the variability in patient characteristics, preferences, and responses to treatment. Principles of individualized care emphasize the importance of tailoring medication regimens to each patient’s unique needs, taking into account factors such as age, gender, genetics, lifestyle, and cultural considerations.
By considering the individual circumstances and preferences of each patient, healthcare providers can optimize treatment outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction and adherence.Â
4. Evidence-Based Practice:
Principles of evidence-based practice emphasize the importance of integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences when making treatment decisions.
Healthcare providers must critically evaluate the strength and quality of evidence supporting the use of specific medications, weighing potential benefits against risks and uncertainties. By basing medication prescriptions on sound scientific evidence and clinical judgment, providers can ensure that patients receive treatments that are likely to be safe, effective, and appropriate for their condition.Â
5. Ethical Considerations:
Ethical principles guide healthcare providers in navigating complex ethical dilemmas and ensuring that medication prescriptions align with ethical standards and professional responsibilities. Providers must prioritize patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice when making decisions about medication therapy, respecting patients’ rights to make informed choices about their care, and avoiding harm or exploitation.
By upholding ethical principles in medication prescription, providers can maintain trust, integrity, and accountability in their relationships with patients and society.
6. Continual Monitoring and Review:
Principles of medication prescription emphasize the importance of continual monitoring and review of treatment outcomes to assess efficacy, safety, and patient adherence over time. Healthcare providers must regularly reassess patients’ medication regimens, adjusting dosages, discontinuing ineffective or unnecessary medications, and addressing new symptoms or concerns as they arise.
By adopting a systematic approach to medication management, providers can optimize treatment outcomes, minimize risks, and promote patient well-being throughout therapy.
In addition, principles are essential in medication prescription to ensure patient safety, efficacy, individualized care, evidence-based practice, ethical considerations, and continual monitoring and review.
Final Thoughts
As competent medical professionals, FNPs have a vast range of skills, as well as extensive experience in healthcare. With the high level of knowledge required, gained through an appropriate educational program, FNPs can play a key role in healthcare outcomes by applying their specialist knowledge and skills to ensure prescriptions are handled effectively and appropriately.
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