To ascertain the level of compliance of present documentation of PRN medication with national and local standards of good practice.

To inform changes to current practice where room for improvement is identified.

Data collection form was designed based upon the standards found in the local prescribing policy

Audit was carried out on all inpatients on Chafron and Marlborough House

3 month time period August to October 2006

The medication records of 19 patients were viewed

All PRN medication was included in the audit.

Results against standards:

Not more than 1 medicine from any BNF therapeutic category should be prescribed as a PRN at any one time: 2 patients did not meet this standard

100% Compliance to standards

The following 7 standards achieved 100% compliance:

Legible prescription

Written in black ink

Dose recorded

Method recorded

Signature recorded

Start date recorded

Time given recorded, where applicable.

Reccomendations

Increased prescribing practice training for medical staff (doctors). This is covered by pharmacist staff at induction.

Re-audit in 6 months.