The Directions field is to be used when you need to enter patient instructions on how to take the drug. You can use a mixture of sigs (abbreviations) and freeform text. You can use punctuation when entering directions, even next to sigs. You do not need to leave spaces either side of your sig. As you type the sigs, this information can be viewed immediately in the Label Preview which gives you the opportunity to make any changes (if needed) before printing a label.
Drug Forms
Some drug forms require you to specify in the script’s directions whether the dose is for the left, right, both or each eye, ear, nostril, etc. Use l, r, b, or e respectively, immediately after the dose quantity.
The list of drug forms that require such specifications are below:
- Eye Drops
- Nasal Spray
- Ear Cream
- Ear Drops
- Ear Ointment
- Eye Discs
- Eye Ointment
- Insert (ophthalmic)
- Nasal Drops
For Example
With eye drops:
- 1e bd expands to Instil one drop in each eye twice a day.
- 1l bd expands to Instil one drop in left eye twice a day.
- 1r bd expands to Instil one drop in right eye twice a day.
- 1b bd expands to Instil one drop in both eyes twice a day.
If the directions are too long to fit onto a single label, additional labels are automatically used. To see the text on each label, select the scroll arrows. You can also press Alt+Left Arrow or Alt+Right Arrow.
TIP
Dosage information is displayed on the status bar (e.g. normal dose range, maximum dose, age restrictions, etc.). Press F9 to view this information in a pop-up screen.
Standard Directions for Drugs
You can set up standard directions for individual drugs, which are offered for quick use while dispensing. If the drug being dispensed has standard directions set up, they are shown in both sig and expanded form at the right of the Directions box when you first enter it.
To use standard directions, type s and then Tab out of the box. The standard directions are applied after leaving the box.
To use any other directions, type them as normal, the standard directions disappear as soon as you start typing.
CALs
Clear Dispense includes a set of – Ancillary labels, APF additional instructions and Manufacturers recommendations, these are collectively referred to as CALs, and are linked to the drugs in the dispensing database.
To include an expanded CAL on the script label, type # followed by the CAL number.
Preventing Sigs from Expanding
To prevent sigs from expanding, for instance when entering freehand directions containing words that would expand inappropriately as sigs, start the directions with = (an equals sign). The character that prevents sigs from expanding can be changed if you want.
HANDY TIPS
- The system accepts script directions in abbreviated (sig) or freeform text format, including supporting line breaks that will help you quickly add directions on selecting specific keys. For example: if you enter ‘1’ in the Directions field, the Label Preview will display ‘Take one tablet a day.’
- If you enter an out-of-range quantity or dosage, this field displays an indication above the text box to alert the dispenser of the change.
- For drugs with standard directions, when the Directions field gains focus but is empty, a hint is displayed showing the code to apply the standard directions, and what those standard directions are for the drug (e.g. “s = 1 2 prn”).
- When dispensing from an eScript that has directions when Directions gains focus but is empty, a hint is displayed showing the code to apply the eScript directions, and what those eScript directions are (e.g. “dd = 1 t.i.d.”).
- For drugs that potentially have standard directions and can be dispensed from an eScript, hints displayed will cover both.
