A prescription for seamless care: PGDs in stoma care practice

Abstract

Patient group directions (PGDs) allow the administration of medicines to groups of patients who fit specific criteria, without having to write an individual prescription for each patient. The use of PGDs in stoma care nursing practice can significantly improve patients' quality of life, increase autonomy and accountability for the clinical nurse specialist, and provide a credible alternative to independent nurse prescribing. Julie Burton outlines the use of PGDs in stoma care nursing, and documents their introduction in one stoma care department.