82 Evaluation of the medicines matter newsletter in GOSH

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood 2020-11, Vol.105 (Suppl 2), p.A28-A28
• Main Author: Yung, Ka Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Continuing education; Drug administration; Feedback; Governance; Medical personnel; Narcotics; Nursing; Pediatrics; Pharmacovigilance; Prescription drugs
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-gosh.82

Medicines form the largest group of interventions used in children and young people. It also accounts for the highest number of clinical errors. A newsletter ‘Medicines Matter’ designed to support good use of medicines within the Trust was introduced in October 2019 and published monthly by Pharmacy. The newsletter, intended to be read by all healthcare professionals, highlights issues and provides updates on all aspects of medicines management. The contents of the newsletter includes incident examples, along with tips in mitigation, new drugs approved by the Drugs & Therapeutic Committee, new resources, MHRA drug safety update, drug shortages, practice and governance issues.A feedback survey was conducted to evaluate its’ effectiveness as a communication forum as well as staff’s views of it. A survey with 9 questions was circulated with the July 2020 edition and answers were collected until September 2020. Sixteen staff members completed the survey where nursing staff dominated (69%), followed by allied health professionals (25%) and medical staff (6%). 80% of participants read every or most issues with the remaining reading some issues. All participants rated the newsletter as good or very good and useful or very useful where at least 60% of the respondents were interested in each of the topics within the newsletter. The content was found to be engaging (53%), educational (80%), informative (100%), fun-to-read (33%) and a quick reference to changes that are happening (7%). A larger percentage (60%) of participants did not know where to find the newsletter and a suggestion were made to include some medication-related success stories and addition of hyperlinks to new resources available. One participant found the layout and format slightly disorientating but the overall response was positive. The feedback suggests that the newsletter provides a good platform to deliver up-to-date information and key communication across the organisation.