Page 19 - P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october
P. 19

Why Good Notes Matter

             You know the story, a patient pops in with
             a question about a cough. You ask a few
              questions, give some advice, and they
              walk away reassured. But what happens
              when they come back a month later with
               worsening symptoms? If you’ve documented
               the initial conversation properly, you’re not
               starting from scratch. You have context,
                which makes all the difference in providing


                continuity of care.
                 Record-keeping isn’t just about covering                a spreadsheet work around, but this isn’t
                 yourself legally (though that’s a big plus); it’s
                  about building trust and ensuring patients
                  get consistent, high-quality care. And let’s
                                                                          Making Life Easier
                  face it, it also makes our jobs easier when
                   we don’t have to rely on memory alone!
                                                                         The reality of our current practice may
                                                                         be keeping scraps of paper in a folder, or

                                                                        practical anymore, not with the volume
                                                                        increasing day-on-day. The PMRs give
                                                                       you a small free text box to document the
                                                                       case but this isn’t enough. It’s messy, time-
                                                                      revenue.
                                                                       consuming, unsafe, slow and things get lost,
                                                                      leading to poor record-keeping and lost


                                                                     DigiPharma provides the ability to log
                                                                     consultations quickly, send communication
                                                                    to other healthcare providers, write private
                                                                    prescriptions, flag important details, and
               The Legal Side: Storing Clinical                   handwriting!
                                                                    securely store everything in one place. It’s
                                                                   clear, structured, and most importantly,
                Records for 8 Years
                                                                   easily retrievable. No more digging through
                                                                   piles of paper or trying to decipher rushed
                Beyond patient care, there’s also the
                regulatory side. In the UK, any clinical
                 encounter must be stored for up to eight
                 years, it’s one of the biggest reasons we
                 started DigiPharma. This is in line with
                 guidelines from the GPhC and the NHS,
                  ensuring accountability and patient safety.


                  Imagine a scenario where a patient
                  challenges the advice you gave them
                   months or even years ago. Without clear
                   records, it’s your word against theirs. But
                   with proper documentation, you have the
                   evidence to back up your decisions. Having
                    good notes can protect you in case of
                    complaints, audits, or legal issues.




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                                                                                                                 11/09/2025   13:25:24
         P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october.indd   19
         P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october.indd   19                                                 11/09/2025   13:25:24
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