Some researchers in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have designed the Electronic Patient Record with Integrated Drug Information System (E-PRIDIS) software.
According to the researchers, to achieve success in patient assessment and monitoring, all relevant information must be gathered and organised.
“E-PRIDIS is a locally designed software suitable for Nigerian environment. It makes data collection in healthcare institutions easier. The uniqueness of this electronic medical record (EMR) is that it is interfaced with the laboratory, pharmacy and radiology systems so that data are available real time with minimal delays. Furthermore, the integration of Drug Information System, DFI, which could be used in checking instant drug interactions and other related information, would help to improve patient safety. ”
Its availability in hospitals, clinics, and institutional settings, could be used to improve providers’ performance, quality and continuity of care, and the availability of data.”
Some functions of EPRIDIS
The researchers named some of the functions to include: Cross referencing patient allergy to a medication; providing alerts for drug interactions and contraindications; providing cautionary information as well as additional information such as pregnancy and lactating status about drug used.
Benefits of E-PRIDIS
They noted that the ultimate importance of E-PRIDIS is the improvement in quality and convenience of patient care and the design to share information from all providers involved in patient care. Others include checking drug interaction; reducing medical error; improvement in compliance with formularies and dosing guidelines; standardization of ordering process; improved satisfaction among patients and clinicians; reduction of paper and paper-based processes; reduction of length of stay (LOS); improved quality; improved coordination of care and improved productivity.