SOPs

Question 1

What does SOP stand for?

Answer 1

Standard Operating Procedures

Question 2

What does a SOP tell you?

Answer 2

A SOP specifies in writing what should be done, when, where and by whom
- it is a legal requirement for dispensing

Question 3

Why were SOPs introduced?

Answer 3

They were introduced to ensure clinical governance of the dispensing procedure
- systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care

Question 4

What does clinical governance mean?

Answer 4

it is the termed in the NHS and private healthcare system to describe a systematic approach to maintaining and improving the quality of patient care

Question 5

What should SOPs do?

Answer 5

SOPs should allow for the continual improvement of standards of service and provide evidence of commitment to protecting patients

Question 6

What are the mandatory SOPs?

Answer 6

Responsible Pharmacist
Controlled Drugs
Clinical - (NPSA) guidance
Service specific contractual SOPs = for England only
- for essential, advanced and local commissioned services

Question 7

What are the different sections of a single SOP? What is the purpose of each section?

Answer 7

OSSROR
objective
- tells you what the SOP/procedure is trying to achieve

scope
- what areas of work are going to be covered by the SOP

stages of process
- description of how the task is going to be carried out

responsibility
- who is responsible for carrying out each stage of the process = under normal operating conditions and different circumstances (holidays, sick)

other useful information
- is the SOP going to incorporate mechanisms for audit

review
- how are you going to ensure the SOP/procedure continues to be useful, up to date and relevant

Question 8

What are the requirements of a SOP?

- labelling

Answer 8

title of the SOP
reference number
date of preparation

Question 9

What are the benefits of having SOPs?

Answer 9

Help to assure quality and consistency of service
Help to ensure that good practice is achieved at all times
Provide an opportunity to fully utilise the expertise of all the members of the pharmacy team
Enable pharmacists to delegate and may free up time for other activities
Help to avoid confusion over who does what
Provide advice and guidance to locums and part time staff
Useful tools for training new members of staff
Provide a contribution to the audit process

Question 10

What are the different types of SOPs?

Answer 10

Disposal of medicines 
Management of emergency situations 
Sale and supply of non-prescription medicinal products
Electronic Prescription Service 
Dispensing