To the Editor: Mant et al1 explore an important aspect of the quality use of medicines in their study on the continuity of medicines from hospital to community. Their study on compliance with an agreed minimum dataset for patient medication information exchange between hospitals and general practitioners provides a useful perspective of an approach to systems change. I wish to point out a number of limitations that may have affected their results and make some suggestions to improve the quality use of medicines.
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Mant A, Kehoe l, Cockayne NL, et al. A Quality Use of Medicines program for continuity of care in therapeutics from hospital to community. Med J Aust 2002; 177: 32-34. <MJA full text>
- 2. Veale BM, McCallum J, Saltman DC, et al. Consumer use of multiple general practitioners: an Australian epidemiological study. Fam Pract 1995; 12: 303-308.
- 3. Bates DW, Leape LL, Cullen DJ, et al. Effects of computerized physician order entry and a team intervention on prevention of serious medical error. JAMA 1998; 280: 1311-1316.
- 4. Monane M, Matthias DM, Nagle BA, Kelly MA. Improving prescribing patterns for the elderly through an online drug utilization review intervention: a system linking the physician, pharmacist, and computer. JAMA 1998; 280: 1249-1252.