Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration System (HEPMA)
Summary
Abstract
The HEPMA data resource captures and compiles information on all medicines prescribed within the ward/hospital covered by the system; this includes medicine name, formulation, strength, dose, route, and frequency of administration, and dates and times of prescribing. In addition, the HEPMA dataset also captures information on medicines administration, including dates and time of administration.
-
Contact point
-
Digital object identifier (DOI)Not available
Keywords
Publisher
-
NamePublic Health Scotland
-
Logo
Not available
-
DescriptionNot available
-
Contact pointNot available
Documentation
Description
HEPMA is a live clinical system and updated on a continuous basis. Data is automatically extracted from local systems at least weekly and
in most cases, on a nightly basis, and integrated into the national HEPMA dataset.
Data is currently submitted by all health boards except NHS Fife and NHS Borders.
-
Associated media
- Not available
-
Is part of
- Not available
-
Landing page
Coverage
Spatial
-
Spatial coverage
United Kingdom Scotland
-
Geographic levelsNot available
Temporal
-
Start date01/07/2022
-
End dateNot available
-
FrequencyOther
-
Distribution release dateNot available
Provenance
-
PurposeAdministrative
-
SourceNot available
-
Collection situationPrescribing - Hospital
Access and governance
-
Conditions of accessGeneral research use
Requesting access to this data
This is a secure dataset that can only be accessed by researchers from approved organisations.
Find out how to apply to access this dataset
Usage
-
Conditions of useProject-specific restrictions, Not for profit use
-
Resource creatorNot available
-
Is referenced byNot available
Access
-
Access rights
-
Access serviceScottish National Safe Haven / Trusted Research Environment: https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/national-safe-haven-nsh/
-
JurisdictionUK
-
Data controllerPublic Health Scotland
-
Data processorNational Services Scotland
Format and standards
-
LanguageEnglish
-
FormatText/csv
Enrichment and linkage
-
Related datasets
- Not available
-
Linkage opportunityNot available
-
Tools
- Not available
Synthetic data
Synthetic data is not yet available for this dataset.
Technical information
A JSON file is available with further technical information. This can include details of variables and data classes contained in the dataset.
Preview of JSON file
{
"summary": {
"title": "Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration System (HEPMA)",
"abstract": "The HEPMA data resource captures and compiles information on all medicines prescribed within the ward/hospital covered by the system; this includes medicine name, formulation, strength, dose, route, and frequency of administration, and dates and times of prescribing.\nIn addition, the HEPMA dataset also captures information on medicines administration, including dates and time of administration.",
"keywords": "Medicine;,;Prescriptions",
"publisher": {
"name": "Public Health Scotland",
"gatewayId": "07"
},
"inPipeline": "Available",
"shortTitle": "Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration System (HEPMA)",
"datasetType": "Health and disease",
"description": "HEPMA is a live clinical system and updated on a continuous basis. Data is automatically extracted from local systems at least weekly and\nin most cases, on a nightly basis, and integrated into the national HEPMA dataset. \nData is currently submitted by all health boards except NHS Fife and NHS Borders.",
"contactPoint": "phs.edris@phs.scot",
"datasetSubType": "Not applicable",
"populationSize": -1
},
"coverage": {
"pathway": "Secondary Care",
"spatial": "United Kingdom Scotland",
"typicalAgeRange": "0-150"
},
"required": {
"issued": "2025-06-09T13:19:19Z",
"version": "1.0.0",
"modified": "2025-06-09T13:19:19Z",
"gatewayId": "1349",
"revisions": [
{
"url": "http://www.example.com/",
"version": "1.0.0"
}
],
"gatewayPid": "e2068e60-8f6a-40a0-8e18-2a87ffb59702"
},
"provenance": {
"origin": {
"purpose": "Administrative",
"imageContrast": "Not stated",
"collectionSituation": "Prescribing - Hospital"
},
"temporal": {
"timeLag": "2-4 weeks",
"startDate": "2022-07-01T00:00:15Z",
"accrualPeriodicity": "Other"
}
},
"accessibility": {
"usage": {
"dataUseLimitation": "General research use",
"dataUseRequirement": "Project-specific restrictions;,;Not for profit use"
},
"access": {
"accessRights": "https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/services-we-offer/",
"jurisdiction": "UK",
"accessService": "Scottish National Safe Haven / Trusted Research Environment: https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/national-safe-haven-nsh/",
"dataProcessor": "National Services Scotland",
"dataController": "Public Health Scotland",
"deliveryLeadTime": "Variable",
"accessRequestCost": "https://publichealthscotland.scot/services/data-research-and-innovation-services/electronic-data-research-and-innovation-service-edris/cost-of-services/",
"accessServiceCategory": "TRE/SDE"
},
"formatAndStandards": {
"formats": "text/csv",
"languages": "en",
"conformsTo": "NHS SCOTLAND DATA DICTIONARY",
"vocabularyEncodingSchemes": "NHS NATIONAL CODES"
}
},
"structuralMetadata": [
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_age_at_presc_start_date",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_datazone_2011",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_date_of_birth",
"dataType": "Date",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_health_board_code_9",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "9-digit code of the NHS board associated with the patient's postcode at the Request Received Date using the NHS Board current configuration"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_health_board_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_intermediate_zone_2011",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode_area",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode_district",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode_sector",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_scottish_health_board_flag",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Indicates if patient is resident in Scottish Health Board. Values will be Y or N."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_sex",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_sex_desc",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_administer_as_needed",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Indicates if the prescribed medication is to be given when needed. Values will be Y or N."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_derived_valid_from",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The date the record is valid from. Derived to accommodate overlapping prescription records."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_derived_valid_to",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The date the record is valid to. Derived to accommodate overlapping prescription records."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_atc_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The ATC (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical) code associated with the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_atc_code_description",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_bnf_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The BNF code from the Seer BNF reference information associated with the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_bnf_paragraph",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_bnf_paragraph_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_bnf_paragraph_description",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The DMD code of the prescribed medication. Will be VMP or AMP"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_current_unique_ref",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_ddd_conversion_factor",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The defined daily dose conversion factor. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_vmp_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The VMP (Virtual Medical Product) name of the prescribed medication. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_vtm_id",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The VTM (Virtual Therapeutic Moiety) ID of the prescribed medication. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_dmd_vtm_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The VTM (Virtual Therapeutic Moiety) name of the prescribed medication. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_end_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time this version of the prescription ended."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_active_ingredient",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication active ingredient. Pharmacy stock control name."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_admin_frequency",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Administration frequency. Locally defined. E.g. TWICE DAILY AT 7AM AND 10PM"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_dose",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Dose quantity."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_formulation",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication formulation. Pharmacy stock control drug form."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_instruction",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication instruction. E.g. 200 MG TWICE DAILY AT 7AM AND 10PM"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_route",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication route. Locally defined. E.g. ORAL, INHALATION, INTRAVENOUS"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_strength",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication strength. Pharmacy stock control drug strength."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_med_unit",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Unit of measure. Locally defined."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_medication_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication name. Locally defined."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_order_authorised_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time this version of the order was authorised."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_order_id",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "HEPMA system order identifier. This links to admin_order_id in the administration data"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_original_order_end_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time version 1 of the order ended."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_original_order_start_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time version 1 of the order started."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_setting_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Prescription setting type code."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_setting_description",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Description associated with the setting type. E.g. EMERGENCY CARE DEPARTMENT SETTING"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_start_date",
"dataType": "Date",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date this version of the prescription started."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_start_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time this version of the prescription started."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "presc_version",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Version number of the prescription"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "prescription_status",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Status of this version of the prescription. E.g. ACTIVE, INACTIVE, UNUSED"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "sending_health_board_code_9",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Current configuration health board 9 digit code of the data submitter"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "sending_health_board_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Current configuration health board name of the data submitter"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "treatment_health_board_code_9",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The Health Board code associated with the Location Code at the Supply Date for the current NHS Board configuration (Health Board Code 9 Curr)."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "treatment_health_board_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The Health Board name associated with the Treatment Health Board Code."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_given_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time the administration was given."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_medication_formulation",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication formulation. Pharmacy stock control drug form."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_medication_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Medication name. Locally defined."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_not_given",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Indicates if the administration was not given. Values will be Y or N, where N indicates that the administration was given."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_order_id",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "HEPMA system order identifier. This links to presc_order_id in the prescription data."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_reason_not_given",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Reason the administration was not given. Locally defined. E.g. PATIENT REFUSED, NIL BY MOUTH/FASTING"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_scheduled_date",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The date the administration was scheduled."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_scheduled_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time the administration was scheduled."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "admin_transaction_date_time",
"dataType": "Date/Time",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Date & time the transaction was confirmed by the user."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_atc_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The ATC (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical) code associated with the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_atc_code_description",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_bnf_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The BNF code from the Seer BNF reference information associated with the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_bnf_paragraph",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_bnf_paragraph_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_bnf_paragraph_description",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_code",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The DMD code of the prescribed medication. Will be VMP or AMP"
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_current_unique_ref",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_ddd_conversion_factor",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The defined daily dose conversion factor. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_vmp_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The VMP (Virtual Medical Product) name of the prescribed medication. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_vtm_id",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The VTM (Virtual Therapeutic Moiety) ID of the prescribed medication. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "dmd_vtm_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "The VTM (Virtual Therapeutic Moiety) name of the prescribed medication. From the Seer dmd reference information for the dmd code on the record."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_age_at_admin_scheduled_date",
"dataType": "Numeric",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_datazone_2011",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_date_of_birth",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_health_board_code_9",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_health_board_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_intermediate_zone_2011",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode_area",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode_district",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_postcode_sector",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": true
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_scottish_health_board_flag",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false,
"description": "Indicates if patient is resident in Scottish Health Board. Values will be Y or N."
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_sex",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "patient_sex_desc",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "sending_health_board_code_9",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "treatment_health_board_code_9",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
},
{
"name": "HEPMA",
"columns": [
{
"name": "treatment_health_board_name",
"dataType": "String",
"sensitive": false
}
]
}
],
"tissuesSampleCollection": [
{
"materialType": "None/not available"
}
]
}
Copied to clipboard