eMedCharts in Fred Dispense

An eMedChart is an electronic medication chart used to manage patient prescriptions within Fred Dispense. Electronic medication charts standardise the way information is presented in pharmacy software, supporting electronic prescribing, claiming, and the supply of eligible PBS and non-PBS medicines.

The SCID for an eMedChart always starts with the number 3. For example: 356TH7XMTFMRCJD889.

Easy Display and Retrieval of eMedChart SCID

When a patient has an eMedChart stored in Patient Extra Information (accessed via CTRL+I), a new shortcut icon appears on the Main Dispense screen after the patient is selected.

Click this icon to trigger an eRx retrieve using the stored eMedChart SCID, offering a quick and efficient way to start dispensing from the chart.

The shortcut icon only displays for patients with a stored electronic MedChart and must be clicked with the mouse, (TAB navigation does not activate the icon).

This feature streamlines workflow by reducing manual entry steps when initiating dispensing from an eMedChart.

Display and Management of SCID in Patient Extra Information

The Patient Extra Information screen (CTRL+I) now displays the SCID for the current eMedChart.

The SCID is only populated when an eMedChart script is scanned—paper charts do not use SCIDs.

During dispensing of an eMedChart script, the Start Date field in Patient Extra Information is locked and cannot be edited. This change helps prevent accidental changes to chart dates during dispensing.

If the script is not an eMedChart, the field remains editable. This measure ensures consistency in chart data for eMedChart workflows.

Users can copy the SCID to the clipboard using the Copy Chart SCID icon.

Validation Messages and Warnings

To help you avoid errors when scanning or modifying eMedCharts, several new validation messages have been introduced. These messages appear in specific situations to guide your actions and ensure data accuracy. Here are some examples:

If you scan a chart that is expired, a message will inform you that it has been expired.

If you scan a chart with the same start date but a different end date than what is currently stored, a message will appear to highlight the change.

You cannot scan a chart with a start date earlier than the one already stored. A warning will appear to notify you of the conflict.

You will see additional warnings for invalid date ranges, including:

  • The end date is earlier than the start date.

  • The chart duration exceeds six months.

When you enter paper chart mode (using CTRL+SHIFT+C) while an eMedChart is stored, you will be prompted to confirm whether you want to clear the electronic chart.

  • Selecting Yes will proceed to a chart clearance notification.

  • The default selection is No, which retains the stored chart.

If you try to manually change dates in the F8 > Extra Information screen, a warning will appear. These dates are sourced from the eMedChart and should not be altered.

When dispensing an item from an eMedChart, if the same item is dispensed again on the same day, a warning appears.

Other Notes on eMedChart Use

Here is some additional information about eMedCharts:

  • No Repeats with eMedCharts:In eMedCharts, there is no concept of repeats. The SCID can be reused in cases where the prescriber has indicated unlimited supplies. However, if the prescriber specifies a Maximum Number of Supplies of 1, the item can only be supplied once. Any further supplies would require an additional entry on the eMedChart. For Dangerous Drugs (DDs), the Maximum Number of Supplies is always set to 1.

  • Standard Dispensing: A chart can contain up to 50 items. Scanning an individual item from the chart references the SCID with an item number (e.g. 356TH77233T8HCCQ03-15).

  • Managing Multiple Charts: If a new chart with an overlapping or conflicting date range is scanned (e.g. same start date, different end date), a warning ensures that the user is aware of the change in therapy duration.

  • Suppression of Same Doctor/Same Drug Warnings for Duplicate Chart Scripts: The warning message regarding same doctor/same drug for duplicate scripts is now suppressed when dispensing an eMedChart or paper chart script.