RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Five key recommendations for the implementation of hospital electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems in Scotland JF BMJ Health & Care Informatics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 783 OP 788 DO 10.14236/jhi.v23i4.904 VO 23 IS 4 A1 Kathrin M Cresswell A1 Ann Slee A1 Aziz Sheikh YR 2016 UL http://informatics.bmj.com/content/23/4/783.abstract AB National Health Service (NHS) Scotland is about to embark on the implementation of hospital electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems. There are a number of risks associated with such ventures, and thus drawing on existing experiences from other settings is crucial in informing deployment.Drawing on our previous and ongoing work in English hospitals as well as the international literature, we reflect on key lessons that NHS Scotland may wish to consider in going forward. These deliberations include recommendations surrounding the key aspects of deployment strategy: 1) the way central coordination should be conceptualised, 2) how flexibility in strategy can be ensured, 3) paying attention to optimising systems from the outset, 4) how expertise should be developed and centrally shared, and 5) ways in which learning from experience can be maximised.Our five recommendations will, we hope, provide a starting point for the strategic deliberations of policy makers. Throughout this journey, it is important to view the deployment of hospital electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems as part of a wider strategic goal of creating integrated digital infrastructures across Scotland.