Frans introduces the work of the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre based in Northern Ireland. He talks about their background; aims and how they achieve them; and current key initiatives. Frans also discusses the ongoing work of MOIC in enabling technology, the pharmaceutical industry, knowledge transfer, training and education, and other key initiatives.

2. MEDICINES OPTIMISATION
INNOVATION CENTRE
• Overall aim: to work towards better patient outcomes by
initiating, developing & sharing best practice with
regards to medicines use.
• Achieved through:
– Research
– Quality Improvement
– Knowledge transfer
– Innovation
– International Collaboration

3. MEDICINES OPTIMISATION
INNOVATION CENTRE
• Prof Mike Scott, Director
• Dr Glenda Fleming, Deputy Director
• Dr Frans van Andel, Lead in Internationalization
• About 10 staff members in areas like clinical pharmacy,
drug selection and procurement, patient involvement,
engagement office

4. Current key initiatives
• Institutionalised approach towards establishing the Centre
• Knowledge transfer in relation to MO systems developed in NI
• Continued development of technology solutions
• Training and development of other Health Care Professionals
• Develop Public - Private cross-sector working thereby helping
the local economy
• Foster international collaboration

5. Background: Academic Practice Unit
• Academic practice unit between Antrim Area Hospital & QUB
established in 1994
• Over 60 papers, almost 100 posters and abstracts, 13 PhDs,
50 MSc and Diplomas
• Established Integrated MO in Northern Ireland (= integral
component of MOH policy)

6. Medicines Optimization (MO)
in Northern Ireland
• Drug history at admission reduction of 4.2 errors per patient
• Length of stay reduced by 2 days
• Increased time to readmission (20 days)
• Kardex monitoring (inpatient) 5.5 interventions per patient
• Faster medication rounds > 25 minutes per day saved
• Faster discharge > 90 minutes quicker
• More accurate discharge < 1% error rate compared to 25% by
medical staff

7. Enabling Technology
• Bespoke locker Hospital Metalcraft Ltd
• Safe Therapeutic Economic Pharmaceutical Selection
(STEPSelect) Digitalis Ltd Amsterdam
• Electronic Pharmacist Intervention Clinical System
(EPICS) Yarra Software Ltd
• Medicines Reconciliation Software (Writemed)
Yarra Software Ltd
• Antimicrobial Surveillance System (LAMPS) Yarra
Software Ltd

8. Pharmaceutical Industry
• Continuity of Care Post – hospitalisation of patients at risk of
medicines related problems (ABPNI)
• A suite of new diagnostic tests (e.g. for C Diff and other
diseases) – Hybergine Ltd
• Hospital pharmacist led smoking cessation scheme (Pfizer)
• New treatment options for schizophrenia (Synovion)
• A number of new projects are being scoped

9. KnowledgeTransfer Success
- International Collaborative Projects -
• Regional in Northern Ireland
• Numerous Trusts in England
• Sweden, Uppsala and Skane
• Southern Ireland, Tallaght Hospital and Drogheda Hospital
• Central Norway
• Gdansk, Poland, University Teaching Hospital
• Olomouc, Czech Republic, University Teaching Hospital
• Belgrade, Serbia, Institute of Rheumatology
• Barcelona, Spain, Formulary Committee

10. Education and Training
Colleagues From -
• Sweden
• Norway
• South of Ireland
• Erasmus Programme with
Poland
• Programme with the Spanish
Hospital Pharmacists
Association
• EIP Twinning exchange with
• Spain, Czech Republic and
NWC England
• Exchange Programme with
Orbisch Medisch Centrum
Sittard, The Netherlands
• Jordan
• Palestine
• Estonia
• Numerous visits from English
Colleagues
• New Zealand

11. Health Care Acquired Infections
(Microbiology, Infection Control and Hotel Services)
• Partners for work in in this area includes: Goldshield;
Clinimax; Iskus Health; University of Ulster; QUB
– Alcohol gel
– Hand hygiene
– Chlorhexidine products/formulations
– Chlorine dioxide
– Use of procedure packs
– Environmental processes

12. Other key initiatives
• European Innovation Partnership on Active and
Healthy Ageing: Three Star Reference Site
Status for Medicines Management
• Healthcare-SAT Secure Analytics Tagging:
ARCNET
• European Connected Health Alliance:
Medicines Optimisation inter-ecosystem group

13. MO in NI: a comprehensive approach
which pays off
• At MOH level: QA Policy in MO defined and
implemented (only one in Europe)
• Comprehensive policy focussing on:
– All levels of health care (secondary, primary)
– All levels of medicines selection, procurement,
distribution, usage and measurement of utilization
• Improve outcomes (low error rates of
dispensing, cost-effectiveness, better health
outcomes)

14. In short
• MOIC: a name in the UK and Europe in MO to
stay
• with an extensive network in government,
academia, healthcare providers and patient
organizations
• and a suite of MO instruments to offer
• In combination with a host of expertise in MO
TA and training
• Ready to assume collaboration with interested
parties