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What Is Pgd In Pharmacy?

What Is Pgd In Pharmacy
Patient group directions, abbreviated PGDs, are written instructions that provide guidance for the provision of medical care or the administration of medications to patients, typically in prearranged settings. They require a large investment of both time and resources in order to be developed and put into action.

  1. You are only permitted to supply and/or administer medications in accordance with PGDs if there is a benefit for the patient that does not compromise their safety.
  2. PGDs have to be formulated by a committee that comprises professionals from many fields, such as a physician, a pharmacist, and a representative of any professional group that is anticipated to offer the drugs covered by the PGD.

Involvement of local medication and therapeutics committees, area prescription committees, and other advisory organizations of a similar kind is a recommended best practice. In the interest of ensuring the safety of patients, it is necessary to make decisions on the PGD’s expiration date on a case-by-case basis.

What is included in a PGD?

Definitions as well as pointers – A Patient Group Direction (PGD) is a written direction for the sale, supply, and/or administration of medications to groups of patients who may not be individually recognized prior to presentation for treatment. This type of instruction is often used in emergency situations.

  • A person can either be known to the service or have an appointment (for example, at a baby immunization clinic), or they may not be known in advance of arriving at a service, which is indicated by the phrase “may or may not be recognized” (e.g.
  • a walk in centre).
  • PGDs are not to be confused with other types of prescriptions.

PGDs remove the requirement for a patient to have a prescription or get instructions from a prescriber in order for some health care practitioners to be able to supply and/or administer a drug directly to a patient who has been diagnosed with a certain clinical condition.

  • It is the responsibility of the health care practitioner who is working within the PGD to determine whether or not the patient fulfills the requirements that are outlined in the PGD.
  • It is not possible to outsource the process of supplying and/or administering drugs in the context of a PGD; rather, the entire episode of care must be carried out by the health care practitioner who is acting under the PGD.

Within the context of the service or pathway, organizations should have policies and procedures in place to handle medications in a way that takes into account all of the relevant facets for patients. Prior to the design or commissioning of a service employing PGDs, as well as prior to the development of a PGD, you are required to make certain that PGDs are suitable, lawful, and that proper governance structures are in place.

Why are patient group direction used?

PGDs, also known as patient group directions, are a legal framework that enables certain qualified health practitioners to provide and/or administer certain medications to a pre-defined group of patients without those patients having to first visit a prescriber (such as a doctor or nurse prescriber).

The practice of supplying and/or administering drugs in accordance with PGDs should be reserved for instances in when doing so provides an advantage for the treatment of patients, without putting patient safety at risk. On the website of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), you will find further information on PGDs.

These websites offer PGD resources for a variety of topics, including the following: To the south-west In addition, they include the following details: PGDs that are actively being utilized and may be downloaded Routine immunisation regimens Questions and Answers (FAQs) Regarding Permanent Gift Annuities Connecting you to further PGD resources

How long is a PGD valid for?

Patient group directions, abbreviated PGDs, are written instructions that provide guidance for the provision of medical care or the administration of medications to patients, typically in prearranged settings. They require a large investment of both time and resources in order to be developed and put into action.

  1. You are only permitted to supply and/or administer medications in accordance with PGDs if there is a benefit for the patient that does not compromise their safety.
  2. PGDs have to be formulated by a committee that comprises professionals from many fields, such as a physician, a pharmacist, and a representative of any professional group that is anticipated to offer the drugs covered by the PGD.

Involvement of local medication and therapeutics committees, area prescription committees, and other advisory organizations of a similar kind is a recommended best practice. In the interest of ensuring the safety of patients, it is necessary to make decisions on the PGD’s expiration date on a case-by-case basis.

What drugs can be given under a PGD?

Patient group directions (PGDs) are now a standard component of clinical treatment in the UK; nonetheless, the question remains whether or not the National Health Service (NHS) is becoming overly dependent on these kinds of mass “prescriptions,” and whether or not there is an alternative approach.

  1. What was formerly regarded by some as a “quick fix” option on the path toward nurse prescribing has blossomed into what one observer has referred to as a “industry” for PGD.
  2. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has criticized the overuse and occasionally misuse of PGDs in contemporary practice and has given new recommendations to govern and oversee this industry.

In addition, NICE has criticized the overuse of PGDs in the past. PGDs are still widely utilized, particularly in national immunization programs, therefore alarm bells sounded when it seemed that certain clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) were not equipped with PGDs to begin delivering the rotavirus vaccine in July.

Despite this, PGDs are still commonly employed. With the use of a PGD, healthcare providers who do not have the authority to write prescriptions can give a certain drug to a certain category of patients. For instance, practice nurses are able to vaccinate patients on the practice list who belong to a target group without first requiring a prescription for each specific individual.

An Overview of the PGD’s Past The Crown Review, which took place in 1999, paved the way for nurses and other non-medical practitioners to be able to write prescriptions. Because this shift could not take place until a sufficient number of prescription nurses had received training, a variety of other measures had to be implemented.

  1. Patient specific directions (PSDs), also known as patient group directions (PGDs), were one of them.
  2. PSDs are written instructions given by an independent prescriber for a drug that is to be provided to an identified patient.
  3. In contrast to the ad hoc procedures that were previously utilized, PGDs were codified into legislation in the year 2000.

A PGD needs to be authorized by a CCG, NHS trust, local authority, or NHS England, and it needs to be signed by a doctor (or a dentist) as well as a pharmacist. PGDs are only permitted to provide authorization for the administration of medicine to regulated professionals such as nurses, midwives, health visitors, and pharmacists.

  1. This is a further limitation.
  2. In light of recent reforms, it is now possible for nurses to administer controlled substances such as morphine and diamorphine, as well as midazolam, benzodiazepines, ketamine, and codeine, in the context of patient-directed doses (PGDs).
  3. However, this practice is not permitted in the context of addiction treatment.
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PGDs are occasionally used in situations when independent prescribing would be a better alternative, but funding for it has not been made available. This is made abundantly apparent in the draft of the NICE advice document. According to the advice, “Barriers to establishing independent prescribing such as a lack of designated budget and staff commitment may have led to the creation of PGDs in a way that was unnecessary or inappropriate.” PGDs must not to be seen as a straight replacement for independent prescribing.

A more affordable alternative to training? According to data provided by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), there are now 63,556 registered nurses in the UK who are licensed to prescribe medication. This is approximately 10% of the total number of registered workers. The majority of nurses have certifications either as Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribers or Nurse Independent/Supplementary Prescribers.

People utilized PGDs because it was cheaper and quicker than teaching nurses to prescribe within their competencies, said to Barbara Stuttle of the Association for Nurse Prescribing. There are certain employers that do not wish to make such investment.

  • PGDs have been utilized by certain organizations in place of releasing individuals and providing them with prescribing training since these organizations do not want individuals to be freed.
  • They are currently experiencing the consequences of their actions. Ms.
  • Stuttle continued by saying, “PGDs were designed to be a short treatment, but we are using them frequently when they are not supposed to be used in that manner.” They have developed into a significant sector all by itself.

Do actual people take the time to read them? I have my doubts about it. People have the misconception that working to a PGD constitutes prescribing, although this is not the case. The majority of nurse prescribing courses are designed to be completed over the course of six months, and a physician serves as an examiner.

Because of the reservations that some medical professionals still have about it, obtaining that might be challenging. Rebecca Cheatle, an adviser for primary and community care at the RCN, stated that there are instances in which PGDs are a beneficial supplement. Some examples of these instances are immunizations and emergency contraception.

They have a role in clinical practice, but it does not mean that we should get rid of the nurses’ responsibility to write prescriptions just yet. In a more severe vein, NICE discovered some evidence of ‘ineligible’ groups providing drugs under PGDs, including as healthcare workers and students.

  • Cheatle stated that what was being done was in violation of the law.
  • “HCAs are not permitted by law to lawfully provide or administer drugs while working under a PGD,” and “licensed nurses are not permitted to delegate medication administration while working under a PGD,” the statement continues.
  • Making effective use of the PGDs However, there is considerable agreement that PGDs are suitable in some settings, such as national immunization programs and emergency contraception.

Specifically, there is consensus that PGDs are appropriate in the following contexts: According to Ms. Cheatle, PGDs are utilized in circumstances in which they provide a benefit for the provision of medical care without compromising patient safety. In a vaccination campaign for the flu, you can have a simple cohort that has to be immunized, such as those over the age of 65.

  1. The Public Goods Document (PGD) templates for nationally commissioned services, such as vaccines, were developed by the Health Protection Agency up until April of this year.
  2. On the other hand, its replacement, Public Health England, is not going to continue carrying out this job.
  3. According to a statement made by a representative, the CCG level is where all PGDs should henceforth be produced.

PGDs for nationally commissioned services will not be produced by NHS England, according to a letter sent by NHS England to GPs and CCGs. The letter also states that it is unlikely that PGDs will be established nationally using the infrastructure that is already in place.

There is, however, a connection to a PGD website where templates of PGDs, such as those for rotavirus and meningococcal group C conjugate vaccines, have been posted and exchanged with one another. “Under no circumstances can concerns connected to PGDs and their approval stand in the way of patients obtaining their immunizations,” according to this statement.

Alternatives, such as PSDs, should be employed in situations where PGDs have run out or are no longer current, according to the letter. According to Professor Matt Griffiths, an independent nursing consultant, the use of PSDs for the administration of vaccines is not practicable.

  1. When using a PSD, it is really difficult and time consuming to get everything in its proper spot.
  2. It implies that each patient must have their identity established in advance.
  3. Vaccination is not always planned, and it is occasionally done on the spur of the moment in certain groups, particularly among the most vulnerable elements of society who lead chaotic lifestyles.

If you do not have a PGD in place, this will lead to a reduction in the number of vaccines administered, which will result in a lowered herd immunity. Professor Griffiths was also concerned that, in the absence of a PGD, staff members working in general practices would feel driven to engage in criminal behavior as a result of the financial incentives to immunize the greatest number of individuals feasible.

  • During the transition to CCGs, he was worried that a significant number of practices may find themselves without legitimate PGDs.
  • “Everything is up in the air right now.
  • The new organizations have not necessarily delegated their duties to the appropriate individuals just yet.
  • PGDs expire once two years have passed.

If the CCGs do not ensure that they are prepared, then individuals will be at a loss about what to do when the PGD is depleted. NHS England has developed a flow chart titled “To PGD or Not to PGD” in order to aid organizations in making the decision on whether or not to build a PGD in order to deliver a certain service.

Concerns have been raised, however, about the limited number of organizations that are in a position to generate PGDs. While NICE requires clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), NHS trusts, and independent providers to offer NHS services, the British Medical Association contends that general practitioner (GP) practices should also be included on this list.

A representative from the British Medical Association (BMA) issued the following statement through a spokesperson: “We strongly recommend that general practices are included in the bodies that can develop PGDs.” This is especially important in light of the fact that even private healthcare organizations are now able to do so.

To PGD or Not to PGD?
PGDs may be appropriate when: The medicine’s use follows a predictable pattern, such as for patients attending for contraception Patients with an acute need seek unscheduled care, such as in a walk-in centre Managing a discrete treatment episode where supplying or administering a medicine is needed, such as treating chlamydia There is a homogeneous patient group, such as at-risk groups of patients needing immunisation PGDs should be considered carefully when: The medicine is being used off label The medicine is a black triangle medicine The medicine is a controlled drug (only some controlled drugs are eligible for consideration) The medicine is an injectable preparation for self-administration Treatment or response to treatment needs careful monitoring Managing a small number of patients in a specific patient group, because the appropriate resources and expertise may not be available Supplying and/or administering a range of medicines to the same patient (this may be appropriate in some cases when a discrete episode of care involves treatment with more than one medicine) The clinical situations where alternative options to PGDs should be used: Managing complex long-term conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes In a particular setting, significant uncertainty remains about the differential diagnosis An antimicrobial is needed (this may be appropriate in some circumstances, such as chlamydia treatment in a sexual health clinic) The medicine needs frequent dosage adjustments, for example warfarin The medicine needs frequent or complex monitoring, for example, immunosuppressants The medicine is a high-risk medicine, for example insulin Source: NHS Patient Group Directions (PGDs)

Not if it is difficult or carries a significant danger. According to NICE, PGDs should not be utilized for the administration of complicated pharmaceuticals or treatments that have a significant risk. They should not be used to control long-term illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension, such as insulin, and they should not be utilized.

  1. According to NICE, even if dosage ranges can be provided in PGDs, those ranges shouldn’t be utilized in situations where the dose needs to be frequently monitored or adjusted.
  2. In situations like this, a prescription or a patient-specific dosing schedule might be more suitable.
  3. According to Professor Griffiths, “in critical care, nearly every medicine that is administered using syringe drivers will be changed by nurses every hour depending on the response of the patient.” [Citation needed] If the dosage of the drug is given within a range, doing so is not only entirely acceptable but also the most effective approach for nurses to make adjustments to the patient’s dose.

This takes place on a daily basis inside the medical facility, but more has to be done in the surrounding neighborhood. However, dosage modifications of this type are not something that should be done with a PGD. Ms. Cheatle came to the following conclusion concerning patient-directed drugs: “PGDs are about delivering advantages to the patient without compromising safety and making sure that it is done within the letter of the law.” When dealing with patients that require sophisticated personalized treatment, the bulk of prescription should be done on an individual and patient-specific basis.

The professional officer at the CPHVA, Rosalind Godson, had the same opinion. If primary care physicians want nurses to do these tasks, then nurses should have the ability to prescribe medications in the community. You do encounter some instances of poor practice, but this is not the fault of the PGD; rather, it is the fault of the individuals working in the GP practice.

When there is poor practice, it often reveals the necessity of providing nursing personnel with education and training in prescription medications. After that, it has to be financially supported and backed by the professionals. PGDs may be quite helpful if it is ensured that they are fastened down correctly; nonetheless, they are often utilized more in the communal context.

What should a PGD include?
The period during which the direction is to have effect The description or class of medicinal product The clinical situations in which medicinal products of that description or class may be used to treat or manage in any form Whether there are any restrictions on the quantity of medicinal product that may be sold or supplied on any one occasion The clinical criteria under which a person is eligible for treatment Whether any class of person is excluded from treatment and whether there are circumstances in which further advice should be sought from a doctor or dentist and, if so, what circumstances The pharmaceutical form or forms in which medicinal products of that description or class are to be administered The strength, or maximum strength of medication The applicable dosage or maximum dosage The route and frequency of administration Any minimum or maximum period of administration Whether there are any relevant warnings to note Whether there is any follow up action to be taken Arrangements for referral for medical advice Details of the records to be kept of the supply, or the administration, of products under the direction Source: NICE Good Practice Guidance PGDs (Draft, April 2013)

Resources webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/ for more information. Visit the following website for more information: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/Publications/PublicationsPolicyandGuidance/DH 4077151 www.nice.org.uk/mpc/goodpracticeguidance/PatientGroupDirectionsGuidanceConsultation.jsp is the address you should go to for further information.

  • pgd-immun-vac.pdf may be found at www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pgd-immun-vac.
  • medicinesresources.nhs.uk/en/Communities/NHS/PGDs/ is where you can get further information.
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When can a PGD be used?

PGDs are allowed to be utilized in ” restricted circumstances in which this gives an advantage for patient treatment, without compromising patient safety, and when there are clear governance mechanisms and accountability “6.

Who can Authorise PGD?

Who exactly are the signatories of the PGD? Both a medical practitioner (or a dentist) and a pharmacist are required by law to sign a prescription drug guide (PGD), and the accompanying guideline recommends that these two professionals be engaged in the creation of the PGD.

Although it is not required by legislation, it is considered good practice for patient group directions (PGDs) to be signed by representative(s) of the registered health professional group(s) that are intended to supply and/or administer the medicine(s) covered by the PGD. This recommendation comes from the NICE guideline MPG2, which was published in 2017.

In situations in which a pharmacist is chosen to represent one or more of the registered health professional groups, it is considered standard operating procedure to engage an additional pharmacist who has experience working in the particular clinical area of practice and who will utilize the PGD.

  1. In addition, the PGD needs to be authorized by a representative of the applicable authorizing organization in order to be valid.
  2. The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, Schedule 16 Part 2 outlines the organizations that must sign a directive in their capacity as the signatory for the organization.
  3. The structure of an organization should be used to establish which person function within the organization has the ability and obligation to be the signature in order to certify that PGDs are suitable for their intended use.

This signature, for instance, is frequently the clinical governance or patient safety lead who has been assigned the role of signing PGDs on behalf of the authorizing organization. Authorizing bodies have a responsibility to ensure that individuals who are developing, updating, authorizing, and using PGDs are aware of their responsibilities and can provide evidence that they are competent in doing so.

  1. This includes taking into consideration the knowledge, skills, and expertise that these individuals require.
  2. Last but not least, a senior person who is responsible for ensuring that only fully competent, qualified, and trained health professionals use PGDs must give written permission to an individual health professional to use the PGD.

This permission must be obtained before the health professional can use the PGD. An individual or multiple practitioner agreement may be used as a declaration of competence on behalf of the practitioner. It may also be used as a designation of the practitioner’s authority and accountability for their decisions to supply and/or administer medicines using a PGD.

This declaration of competence may be used for either one or both of these purposes. What kinds of experiences and skills are anticipated of signatories of PGDs? The patient group directives (NICE guideline MPG2, 2017) outlines the anticipated levels of experience and skill in signatories. Competency frameworks are included among the supporting materials.

All professionals, no matter what step of the process they could be engaged in, have access to a multi-disciplinary PGD e-learning program that will teach them how to ensure that PGDs are designed, authorized, and utilized securely. Who are the signatories to the PGD, and what are their duties and responsibilities? The following is a synopsis of the roles and duties of signatories for Patient Group Direction (PGD), which may be found in the attached document:

  1. Functions and obligations of a signatory who is a medical doctor (or a dentist)
  2. The functions and obligations that come along with becoming a pharmacist signatory
  3. In accordance with the PGD, the role and obligations of the signatory who is a representative of the professional group that is anticipated to deliver pharmaceuticals are as follows:
  4. What a clinical governance lead’s role and obligations are when it comes to the organizational approval of the PGD
  5. Managers in areas where PGDs are being created, implemented, and used each have their own unique roles and duties.
  6. Practitioners are responsible for the following while using Patient Group Directions.

The accompanying paper has a list of linked duties that may be used to assist in establishing these roles and responsibilities. Participating organizations and individuals can use the checklist that is included in this paper to confirm that they are meeting all of the requirements.

  1. Note: When a signature signs a PGD, they are operating within the scope of their function as agreed upon by their organization and described in their role definition.
  2. Because of this, there is no necessity that a PGD be resigned if a signatory departs an organization.
  3. The PGD Service Advisory Board has made it clear that there is nothing in the statute that states a PGD becomes invalid if a PGD signatory leaves their employment.

This information was provided in response to a question from the board. Note that this is simply meant to serve as a guide; organizations may find it helpful to make use of the NICE PGD Baseline Assessment Tool and to consult the guidelines included in Patient group guidance (NICE guideline MPG2, 2017)

Can a student nurse use a PGD?

Patient Group Directions, abbreviated as PGDs, are written directions for the delivery or administration of medications to groups of patients who may not be individually recognized before presentation for treatment. PGDs are administered in accordance with patient group protocols.

  1. PGDs offer a legal framework that enables the supply and/or administration of a specified medicine (or medicines), to a pre-defined group of patients who require prophylaxis or treatment for a condition described in the PGD, without the need for a prescription or an instruction from a prescriber.
  2. This is made possible because PGDs provide a legal framework that allows for the supply and/or administration of a specified medicine (or medicines).

Making use of a PGD is not the same thing as writing a prescription. The name of the authorized and registered health professional who is employing the PGDs has to be included on those documents. PGDs are only available for usage by the specified medical specialists outlined in the relevant regulations.

Nursing Associates are not currently covered, and as a result, they are unable to practice under a PGD. Please refer to the information provided by Specialist Pharmacy Services. The provision of drugs under PGDs and/or the administration of such medicines should only be done under exceptional circumstances, such as those in which doing so confers a benefit on patient care without putting patient safety at risk.

Before a service that uses PGDs is built or commissioned, organizations should have rules and processes in place to ensure that all of the available alternatives are considered. Before developing a PGD, the organization must first establish that PGDs are applicable, lawful, and that proper governance procedures are in place.

Can doctors work under a PGD?

According to the legislation, medical professionals, including as doctors and dentists, are permitted to lawfully prescribe medication and then to provide such medication to their patients. They are also able to give a medication that has been prescribed by another medical professional.

What are the advantages of using PGDs?

Patient Group Directions, abbreviated as PGDs, are written directions for the delivery or administration of medications to groups of patients who may not be individually recognized before presentation for treatment. PGDs are administered in accordance with patient group protocols.

  1. PGDs offer a legal framework that enables the supply and/or administration of a specified medicine (or medicines), to a pre-defined group of patients who require prophylaxis or treatment for a condition described in the PGD, without the need for a prescription or an instruction from a prescriber.
  2. This is made possible because PGDs provide a legal framework that allows for the supply and/or administration of a specified medicine (or medicines).

Making use of a PGD is not the same thing as writing a prescription. The name of the authorized and registered health professional who is employing the PGDs has to be included on those documents. PGDs are only available for usage by the specified professionals in the health care industry indicated in the regulation.

  • Nursing Associates are not currently covered, and as a result, they are unable to practice under a PGD.
  • Please refer to the information provided by Specialist Pharmacy Services.
  • The provision of drugs under PGDs and/or the administration of such medicines should only be done under exceptional circumstances, such as those in which doing so confers a benefit on patient care without putting patient safety at risk.

Before a service that makes use of PGDs is established or commissioned, organizations have to have rules and practices in place to ensure that all possibilities are considered. Before developing a PGD, the organization must first establish that PGDs are applicable, lawful, and that proper governance procedures are in place.

What is the purpose of a Mar?

Medication Administration Record (or eMAR for electronic versions), more commonly known as a drug chart, is the report that serves as a legal record of the drugs that were administered to a patient at a facility by a health care professional. This report is known as a Medication Administration Record (MAR).

What are patient specific directions?

An order to deliver a prescription to a list of individually identified patients is known as a Patient Specific Direction (PSD), and it is given by a prescriber only after the prescriber has conducted an individual evaluation of each patient on the list.

What is an official Sam scheme in hospital?

2.1 The Self-administration of Medicines (SAM) plan gives patients the option, depending on where they fall on a scale of acceptable independence, to take control of the way their medicine is given to them while they are in the hospital.

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