Improving Efficiency and Safety in Ambulatory Care Clinics by Implementing Electronic Medication Refill Protocols

Medication refills in ambulatory care clinics are time-consuming and repetitive, often leading to inefficiencies and subsequent patient safety issues when procedures are not standardized. Nurses and medical assistants predominantly perform this vital function and clinically inappropriate medication authorizations may occur. To address this issue, a medication refill clinical decision support tool, based on medication classification, was developed by pharmacists, prescribers, and nursing teams, and is being integrated into the electronic health record at one institution. Discussion includes how this tool allows non-prescribing nurses and medical assistants to manage refill requests safely and efficiently.

Continuing Education Instructions and Disclosure Information:

Contact hours available until 5/24/2027.

Requirements for Successful Completion:
Complete the learning activity in its entirety and complete the online nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) evaluation. You will be able to print your NCPD certificate at any time after you complete the evaluation.

Disclosure of relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies (planners, faculty/speakers, reviewers):

Planning Committee Disclosures:
There are no Planning Committee disclosures to declare.

Speaker Disclosures:
There are no speaker disclosures to declare.

Commercial Support:
No commercial support declared.

Accreditation Statement:
This educational activity is jointly provided by Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. (AJJ) and the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN).

Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

AAACN is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP5366.

Learning Outcome:
After completing this learning activity, the participant will be able to discuss how a medication refill clinical decision support tool allows non-prescribing nurses and medical assistants to manage refill requests safely and efficiently.