Pharmacy Daily | PAMS a shot in the arm for pharmacy

TERRYWHITE Chemmart (TWC) pharmacies will be the first to use HealthEngine's new Patient Appointment Management System (PAMS) ahead of the rollout of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines this year.

The system developed in collaboration with software providers, Minfos, MedAdvisor and HealthEngine, includes a digitised pre-screening and consent component, which is sent directly to the pharmacist's professional service recording software for review prior to the appointment.

It also features a direct integration between the TWC booking system and the Minfos dispense, transferring bookings and patient details securely into a new booking queue.

TWC pharmacy owner, Judy Plunkett, said the platform was a critical first step in supporting pharmacists to meet the expected increase in demand for vaccination services this year.

"For years I have been campaigning for systems improvement particularly in the field of vaccination workflow and I am really proud to see TWC take a lead in this space," she said.

"Last year pharmacists across my two pharmacies alone delivered more than 6,500 flu vaccinations in what was a very challenging year.

"Any change that supports my team to spend less time on paperwork and more time on doing what they do best - delivering genuine care and advice and supporting more Australians to get vaccinated - is a win in my books."

The PAMS will also integrate with MedAdvisor's PlusOne platform, which will ensure vaccinations are recorded and automatically submitted to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

HealthEngine CEO, Dr Marcus Tan, said the PAMS would "reduce inefficiency" with key systems being able to communicate with each other.

TWC Chief Pharmacist, Brenton Hart, said the new platform would enable pharmacists across the network to "step up with confidence to play their part in the vaccine rollout".

Pictured, TWC pharmacy owner, Judy Plunkett, administering a vaccine to a patient.