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Lesson 7 Prescription and Medication Order Requirements P2

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13 views

Lesson 7 Prescription and Medication Order Requirements P2

Uploaded by

friendlyrodents
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Parts of a Prescription -

Prescribers information - information about the doctor must be present on the


prescription. Information includes their name and their NPI (National Provider
Identifier) number. If the prescription is for a controlled substance, the DEA
number must also be present. The facility name, address and phone number must be
listed on the prescription. This information is important because if there are any
questions when filling the prescription, the pharmacist must know who to contact.

Patient Name and Date of Birth - Important information about the patient msut be on
the prescription. Information including the patient's name and date of birth are
crucial to ensure the medication will be dispensed to the correct patient.

Date - The date of the prescription (also known as the original date written) is
important because noncontrolled prescriptions expire one year from this date.
Schedule II prescriptions expire 30 days from this date and schedule III-V
prescriptions expire six months from this date.

Rx Symbol (superscription) - The Superscription is usually at the top of the


prescription and means: "Take this drug". It is usually followed by the inscription
and the signa. In this section, the prescriber may write "dispense as written"
(DAW) or Brand Medically Necessary.

Medication name, Strength, and Quantity (Inscription) - the inscription includes


important details related to the medication including the medication name, strength
and amount to be dispensed. For example: Levothyroxine 50mcg quantity #30 tablets.

Directions for the Patient (signa) - The signa, commonly referred to as the "sig",
indicates the directions for how the patient will take the medication. The sig
portion of the prescription may be written in a Greek or Latin abbreviation, so it
is important for the pharmacy technician to understand how to translate these
abbreviations. The signa must be clear and contain all the information the patient
will need to take the medication as intended. This includes the does quantity,
route of administration, and the time interval(dose frequency). For example, 1 PO
QD should be translated as take one tablet (Dose Quantity) by mouth (Route of
administration) once daily (Dose frequency).

Refill and special labeling - the number of refills must be indicated on every
prescription. If there are no refills for the prescription, this must be indicated
as well.

Prescribers Signature - Signature of prescriber indicates if a generic substitute


is allowed or if the medication is to be dispensed as written.

The Sig - The signa, or "Sig", is a standard part of a written perscription that
specifies directions for use of the medicine. It is normally printed on the label
of the pill container itself, along with the name of the medication, names of the
patient and the perscriber, and refills remaining. When healthcare providers write
the patient's directions (Signa) on prescriptions, they typically use abbreviations
and other medical terminology. These abbreviations on the prescription can
sometimes feel like a foreign language. And that's because they are !. The majority
of medical abbreviations come from either a greek or latin origin. It is important
to have a thorough understanding of these abbreviations and terminology to
accurately fill the prescription. Any mistake on our end can lead to the patient
taking the medication other than the way it is intended.

Patients Rely on You - as a pharmacy technician, you may receive a prescription for
a patient prescribed Amoxicillin (an antibiotic used to treat bacterial
infections.) the prescribing directions from the doctor state the following :
Amoxicillin 500mg "1 tab PO BID for x 10 days"

The directions on the medication bottle's label should be written out : take 1
tablet by mouth twice daily for ten days, however, you are busy and distracted, and
you accidentally write out once daily instead of twice. the mistake is not caught
by the pharmacist( who is also distracted), and the patient receives the medication
with the incorrect directions.

Antibiotics are important to be taken as directed by the physician. if not taken


properly, it could lead to potential side effects or to subtherapeutic treatment
(treatment that is not effective). in this case, since your directions tell the
patient to take the medication once daily versus twice, the patient will not
receive enough of the medication to effectively treat their infection.

This example outlines the importance of conscientiousness for the pharmacy


technician. Your patients rely on you to be focused, invested, and knowledgeable to
ensure they receive the best possible care.

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