Test of health Literacy for Portuguese-speaking Adults. / Teste de letramento em saúde em português para adultos.

INTRODUCTION: Health literacy has been evaluated in several countries by tools developed for local language and culture. This study aimed to adapt and to validate the Health Literacy Test (TLS) for the Brazilian Portuguese language based on the Test of functional health literacy in adults (TOFHLA). METHOD: The TLS, translated and adapted to the Brazilian scenario based on the Test of functional health literacy in adults, was administered to 302 users of a clinic of a University in Santa Catarina from September to October 2013. Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, Spearman's correlation and Analysis of Variance were used to assess the internal consistency, the correlation between the parts of the test and association between sociodemographic variables and the score of the Test, respectively. RESULTS: The average score of the test was 72,2, and 54.6% of participants had adequate health literacy, 19.2% had marginal health literacy and 26.2% had inadequate health literacy. The average score of the test was inversely related to the age of the participants and directly related to the level of education. There was no significant difference in the other sociodemographic characteristics. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.953. The coefficients for the numerical and reading passages were 0.808 and 0.951, respectively. All the sections correlated positively and significantly with the Test, and also with each other. CONCLUSION: The validation of this test provides a new instrument to determine the literacy level in Brazilian adults.

INTRODUÇÃO: O letramento em saúde é avaliado em diversos países por instrumentos adaptados ao idioma e à cultura locais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a adaptação transcultural para a língua portuguesa do Brasil e validar o Teste de Letramento em Saúde (TLS), a partir do Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). MÉTODO: O TLS, traduzido e adaptado à realidade brasileira a partir do original em inglês, foi administrado a 302 usuários de uma clínica universitária em Santa Catarina, entre setembro e outubro de 2013. Coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, correlação de Spearman e análise de variância foram utilizados para verificar a consistência interna, a correlação entre suas partes e a associação entre as variáveis sociodemográficas e a pontuação do teste, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: A pontuação média do teste foi de 72,2, e 54,6% dos participantes apresentaram letramento em saúde adequado, 19,2%, limitado e 26,2%, inadequado. A pontuação média do teste diminuiu com o aumento da idade e aumentou com a elevação da escolaridade. Não houve diferença significativa para as demais características sociodemográficas. O coeficiente alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,953. Para a parte numérica e para os trechos de leitura, os coeficientes apresentados foram de 0,808 e 0,951, respectivamente. Todos os trechos correlacionaram-se positiva e significativamente com o teste, e também entre si. CONCLUSÃO: A validação do TLS oferece um instrumento para a determinação do nível de letramento em adultos brasileiros.

Medicine package inserts from the users' perspective: are they read and understood?

INTRODUCTION: The written information on medicines has been acknowledged as an important tool for health education. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use and understanding of medicine package inserts by users and assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with their comprehension. METHOD: Data in this analysis are part of the PNAUM National Survey - a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Brazil. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson χ2 tests were performed to compare proportions between sociodemographic and medical characteristics, as well as use and understanding of medicine package inserts. RESULTS: A total of 28.427 individuals responded to questions related to medicine package inserts. From these, 59.6% (95%CI 57.7 - 61.5) said they usually read the inserts, and 98.4% (95%CI 98.0 - 98.8) considered them necessary. Among people who read the medicine package inserts, more than half indicated difficulties with legibility (57.4%; 95%CI 55,2 - 59,6) and readability (54.1%; 95%CI 52.1 - 56.1). People from a lower education level reported greater difficulty in understanding them. CONCLUSION: The larger portion of the population usually read medicine package inserts. Nevertheless, people have difficulty in reading and understanding them.

[Use of antidepressants during breastfeeding: evaluating drug package inserts conformity with science-based bibliographical sources]. / Uso de medicamentos antidepressivos na amamentação: avaliação da conformidade das bulas com fontes bibliográficas baseadas em evidências científicas.

This article sought to evaluate the conformity between recommendations regarding antidepressant use during breastfeeding found in drug package inserts with recommendations from science-based bibliographic sources. We evaluated the standard drug package inserts of 23 antidepressants with active registration in Brazil. The presence of contraindications of antidepressant use during breastfeeding was compared with information present in the Brazilian Ministry of Health technical manual, the book Medications and Mothers' Milk and on the databases LactMed, Micromedex and UpToDate. In most drug package inserts (62.5%), antidepressants are contraindicated during breastfeeding. Among bibliographical sources, that percentage varied between 0% and 25%. The study shows a low conformity between drug package inserts and bibliographical sources, alerting to the need for revising the content and presentation of information present in antidepressant drug package inserts in Brazil.

O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar a conformidade entre as recomendações de uso de medicamentos antidepressivos durante a amamentação, presentes em bulas, e as recomendações de fontes bibliográficas baseadas em evidências científicas. Foram avaliadas as bulas padrão de 23 antidepressivos com registro ativo no Brasil. A presença de contraindicação do uso do antidepressivo durante a amamentação foi comparada com as informações presentes no manual técnico do Ministério da Saúde, no livro Medications and Mothers' Milk e nas bases de dados LactMed, Micromedex e UpToDate. Na maioria das bulas (62,5%), o antidepressivo é contraindicado na amamentação. Entre as fontes bibliográficas, esse percentual variou de 0% a 25%. O estudo aponta para baixa conformidade entre bulas e fontes bibliográficas, alertando sobre a necessidade de revisão do conteúdo e forma de apresentação das informações presentes nas bulas dos antidepressivos no Brasil.

El objetivo de este artículo fue evaluar la conformidad entre las recomendaciones de uso de medicamentos antidepresivos durante la lactancia, presentes en prospectos, y las recomendaciones de fuentes bibliográficas, basadas en evidencias científicas. Se evaluaron los prospectos estándar de 23 antidepresivos con registro activo en Brasil. La presencia de contraindicaciones en el consumo de antidepresivos durante la lactancia se comparó con la información presente en el manual técnico del Ministerio de la Salud, en el libro Medications and Mothers' Milk, y en las bases de datos LactMed, Micromedex y UpToDate. En la mayoría de los prospectos (62,5%), el antidepresivo está contraindicado durante la lactancia. Entre las fuentes bibliográficas el porcentaje varió de 0% a 25%. El estudio señala la escasa conformidad entre prospectos y fuentes bibliográficas, alertando sobre la necesidad de revisión del contenido, así como de la forma de presentación de la información que aparece en los prospectos de los antidepresivos en Brasil.

Users' preferences and perceptions of the comprehensibility and readability of medication labels.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the labeling preferences of medication users and characterize their perceptions of the comprehensibility and readability of medication labels. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of medication users aged 18 years or older in 10 Brazilian capital cities. Perceptions of the comprehensibility and readability of medication labels in relation to sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated by Poisson regression models with robust variance. Labeling preferences were assessed through questions addressing possible improvements and through the use of digitally simulated packages. RESULTS: Of 6,255 medication users interviewed, more than half found it difficult or very difficult to read (50.8%) and/or understand (52.0%) medication labels. Difficulties were more pronounced for participants aged 40 years or older, with lower levels of education, and non-whites. Increasing the font size (93.7%), describing the indications for use (95.9%) and contraindications (95.6%) on the label, and highlighting the expiration date (96.3%) were the most widely accepted improvements. In the evaluation of simulated packages, users preferred factors that improved readability, such as increased font size, use of graphic elements and color to highlight the concentration of the active ingredient, and contrast between the font color and background. The new simulated package design, with increased font size, color to highlight the concentration and contrast between the font color and background, was preferred over the standard design by 77.0% of participants. CONCLUSION: Based on users' perceptions, increased font size and use of graphic elements and color to emphasize critical information, such as expiration date and concentration, are factors that contribute to making medication labels clearer to users. Pharmaceutical industries and policy makers should consider these items when developing labels and defining policies on this issue.

Uso de medicamentos antidepressivos na amamentação: avaliação da conformidade das bulas com fontes bibliográficas baseadas em evidências científicas / Use of antidepressants during breastfeeding: evaluating drug package inserts conformity with science-based bibliographical sources / Uso de medicamentos antidepresivos durante la lactancia: evaluación de la conformidad de los prospectos, respecto a fuentes bibliográficas basadas en evidencias científicas

O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar a conformidade entre as recomendações de uso de medicamentos antidepressivos durante a amamentação, presentes em bulas, e as recomendações de fontes bibliográficas baseadas em evidências científicas. Foram avaliadas as bulas padrão de 23 antidepressivos com registro ativo no Brasil. A presença de contraindicação do uso do antidepressivo durante a amamentação foi comparada com as informações presentes no manual técnico do Ministério da Saúde, no livro Medications and Mothers' Milk e nas bases de dados LactMed, Micromedex e UpToDate. Na maioria das bulas (62,5%), o antidepressivo é contraindicado na amamentação. Entre as fontes bibliográficas, esse percentual variou de 0% a 25%. O estudo aponta para baixa conformidade entre bulas e fontes bibliográficas, alertando sobre a necessidade de revisão do conteúdo e forma de apresentação das informações presentes nas bulas dos antidepressivos no Brasil.

This article sought to evaluate the conformity between recommendations regarding antidepressant use during breastfeeding found in drug package inserts with recommendations from science-based bibliographic sources. We evaluated the standard drug package inserts of 23 antidepressants with active registration in Brazil. The presence of contraindications of antidepressant use during breastfeeding was compared with information present in the Brazilian Ministry of Health technical manual, the book Medications and Mothers' Milk and on the databases LactMed, Micromedex and UpToDate. In most drug package inserts (62.5%), antidepressants are contraindicated during breastfeeding. Among bibliographical sources, that percentage varied between 0% and 25%. The study shows a low conformity between drug package inserts and bibliographical sources, alerting to the need for revising the content and presentation of information present in antidepressant drug package inserts in Brazil.

El objetivo de este artículo fue evaluar la conformidad entre las recomendaciones de uso de medicamentos antidepresivos durante la lactancia, presentes en prospectos, y las recomendaciones de fuentes bibliográficas, basadas en evidencias científicas. Se evaluaron los prospectos estándar de 23 antidepresivos con registro activo en Brasil. La presencia de contraindicaciones en el consumo de antidepresivos durante la lactancia se comparó con la información presente en el manual técnico del Ministerio de la Salud, en el libro Medications and Mothers' Milk, y en las bases de datos LactMed, Micromedex y UpToDate. En la mayoría de los prospectos (62,5%), el antidepresivo está contraindicado durante la lactancia. Entre las fuentes bibliográficas el porcentaje varió de 0% a 25%. El estudio señala la escasa conformidad entre prospectos y fuentes bibliográficas, alertando sobre la necesidad de revisión del contenido, así como de la forma de presentación de la información que aparece en los prospectos de los antidepresivos en Brasil.

Medicine package inserts from the users' perspective: are they read and understood? / Bulas de medicamentos sob a perspectiva dos usuários: elas são lidas e compreendidas?

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The written information on medicines has been acknowledged as an important tool for health education. Objective: To analyze the use and understanding of medicine package inserts by users and assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with their comprehension. Method: Data in this analysis are part of the PNAUM National Survey - a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Brazil. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson χ2 tests were performed to compare proportions between sociodemographic and medical characteristics, as well as use and understanding of medicine package inserts. Results: A total of 28.427 individuals responded to questions related to medicine package inserts. From these, 59.6% (95%CI 57.7 - 61.5) said they usually read the inserts, and 98.4% (95%CI 98.0 - 98.8) considered them necessary. Among people who read the medicine package inserts, more than half indicated difficulties with legibility (57.4%; 95%CI 55,2 - 59,6) and readability (54.1%; 95%CI 52.1 - 56.1). People from a lower education level reported greater difficulty in understanding them. Conclusion: The larger portion of the population usually read medicine package inserts. Nevertheless, people have difficulty in reading and understanding them.

RESUMO: Introdução: A informação escrita sobre medicamentos tem sido reconhecida como uma ferramenta importante para a educação em saúde. Objetivo: Analisar o uso e compreensão de bulas de medicamentos pelos usuários e avaliar fatores sociodemográficos e médicos associados ao seu uso e compreensão. Método: Osdados nesta análise fazem parte da PNAUM - um estudo transversal de base populacional realizado nas cinco regiões brasileiras. Estatísticas descritivas e teste de χ2 de Pearson foram utilizados para comparar proporções entre características sociodemográficas e médicas, uso e compreensão das bulas. Resultados: Um total de 28.427 indivíduos responderam a questões relativas a bulas. Desse total, 59,6% (IC95% 57,7 - 61,5) responderam que geralmente leem as bulas e 98,4% (IC95% 98,0 - 98,8) as consideraram necessárias. Entre as pessoas que leram as bulas, mais da metade indicou dificuldades de legibilidade (57,4%; IC95% 55,2 - 59,6) e de leiturabilidade (54,1%; IC95% 52,1 - 56,1) das bulas. As pessoas com menos educação relataram maior dificuldade em compreendê-las. Conclusões: A maioria da população tem o costume de ler as bulas, no entanto as pessoas consideram-nas difíceis de ler e compreender.

Teste de letramento em saúde em português para adultos / Test of health Literacy for Portuguese-speaking Adults

RESUMO: Introdução: O letramento em saúde é avaliado em diversos países por instrumentos adaptados ao idioma e à cultura locais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a adaptação transcultural para a língua portuguesa do Brasil e validar o Teste de Letramento em Saúde (TLS), a partir do Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Método: O TLS, traduzido e adaptado à realidade brasileira a partir do original em inglês, foi administrado a 302 usuários de uma clínica universitária em Santa Catarina, entre setembro e outubro de 2013. Coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, correlação de Spearman e análise de variância foram utilizados para verificar a consistência interna, a correlação entre suas partes e a associação entre as variáveis sociodemográficas e a pontuação do teste, respectivamente. Resultados: A pontuação média do teste foi de 72,2, e 54,6% dos participantes apresentaram letramento em saúde adequado, 19,2%, limitado e 26,2%, inadequado. A pontuação média do teste diminuiu com o aumento da idade e aumentou com a elevação da escolaridade. Não houve diferença significativa para as demais características sociodemográficas. O coeficiente alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,953. Para a parte numérica e para os trechos de leitura, os coeficientes apresentados foram de 0,808 e 0,951, respectivamente. Todos os trechos correlacionaram-se positiva e significativamente com o teste, e também entre si. Conclusão: A validação do TLS oferece um instrumento para a determinação do nível de letramento em adultos brasileiros.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Health literacy has been evaluated in several countries by tools developed for local language and culture. This study aimed to adapt and to validate the Health Literacy Test (TLS) for the Brazilian Portuguese language based on the Test of functional health literacy in adults (TOFHLA). Method: The TLS, translated and adapted to the Brazilian scenario based on the Test of functional health literacy in adults, was administered to 302 users of a clinic of a University in Santa Catarina from September to October 2013. Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, Spearman's correlation and Analysis of Variance were used to assess the internal consistency, the correlation between the parts of the test and association between sociodemographic variables and the score of the Test, respectively. Results: The average score of the test was 72,2, and 54.6% of participants had adequate health literacy, 19.2% had marginal health literacy and 26.2% had inadequate health literacy. The average score of the test was inversely related to the age of the participants and directly related to the level of education. There was no significant difference in the other sociodemographic characteristics. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.953. The coefficients for the numerical and reading passages were 0.808 and 0.951, respectively. All the sections correlated positively and significantly with the Test, and also with each other. Conclusion: The validation of this test provides a new instrument to determine the literacy level in Brazilian adults.

Effect of different formats for information on side effects regarding medicine users' understanding: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of presenting information on the risks of side effects from a medicine, presented in different formats. METHODS: A randomized, parallel-group, single-center controlled trial was conducted among adult users of a training pharmacy. The information was categorized into the following groups: verbal descriptors+percentage range, percentage range and absolute percentage. The main outcomes were gist understanding and verbatim understanding, classified either as adequate or inadequate. The analyses were performed using ANOVA and Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 393 participants were recruited from June to October 2015. Adequate levels of gist understanding and verbatim understanding were respectively 65.6% and 53.9% for the verbal descriptors+percentage range (n=128), 63.4% and 44.3% for percentage range (n=131), and 62.3% and 48.5% for absolute percentage (n=131), with no statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.852 and p=0.299, respectively). CONCLUSION: The understanding of the information was similar in all three formats, but the percentages of adequate understanding were low. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The percentage of inadequate understanding demonstrated in this study indicates that alternative formats for reporting adverse reactions need to be evaluated.

Agreement between different recall periods in drug utilization studies.

OBJECTIVE:: To assess the agreement between three recall periods for self-reported drug use using a 24-hour recall period as reference. METHODS:: Participants were allocated into three groups with different recall periods of 7, 14 and 30 days and were interviewed at two different times. A 24-hour recall questionnaire was answered during the first interview, and a questionnaire on drug use over the different recall periods tested was answered during the second interview. The agreement between the questionnaires was evaluated using percent agreement and kappa. RESULTS:: For continuous drugs, percent agreement varied between 92 and 99% and kappa varied between 0.71 and 0.97 for three periods tested. For drugs of occasional use, percent agreement varied between 63 and 81% and kappa varied between 0.27 and 0.52. The prevalence of drugs, particularly those of occasional use, increases with time. CONCLUSIONS:: The high level of agreement between the three recall periods suggests that all of them are valid for the investigation of drugs of continuous use.

Agreement between different recall periods in drug utilization studies / Concordância entre diferentes períodos recordatórios em estudos de utilização de medicamentos

ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the agreement between three recall periods for self-reported drug use using a 24-hour recall period as reference. Methods: Participants were allocated into three groups with different recall periods of 7, 14 and 30 days and were interviewed at two different times. A 24-hour recall questionnaire was answered during the first interview, and a questionnaire on drug use over the different recall periods tested was answered during the second interview. The agreement between the questionnaires was evaluated using percent agreement and kappa. Results: For continuous drugs, percent agreement varied between 92 and 99% and kappa varied between 0.71 and 0.97 for three periods tested. For drugs of occasional use, percent agreement varied between 63 and 81% and kappa varied between 0.27 and 0.52. The prevalence of drugs, particularly those of occasional use, increases with time. Conclusions: The high level of agreement between the three recall periods suggests that all of them are valid for the investigation of drugs of continuous use.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar a concordância entre três períodos recordatórios para o auto-relato do uso de medicamentos, utilizando o período recordatório de 24 horas como referência. Métodos: Os participantes foram alocados em três grupos de acordo com os períodos recordatórios de 7, 14 e 30 dias e entrevistados em dois momentos. Um recordatório de 24 horas foi respondido na primeira entrevista e, um questionário sobre o uso de medicamentos com os diferentes períodos recordatórios avaliados foi respondido na segunda entrevista. A concordância entre os questionários foi avaliada pelo percentual de concordância e kappa. Resultados: O percentual de concordância variou entre 92 a 99% e o kappa de 0,71 a 0,97 para os medicamentos de uso contínuo nos três períodos recordatórios. Para os medicamentos de uso eventual, o percentual de concordância variou entre 63 a 81% e o kappa oscilou entre 0,27 a 0,52. A prevalência do uso de medicamentos, particularmente para os de uso eventual, aumentou com o tempo. Conclusão: A análise de concordância sugere que os três períodos recordatórios avaliados são válidos para a investigação da utilização de medicamentos de uso contínuo.

Utilização de medicamentos entre crianças de zero a seis anos: um estudo de base populacional no sul do Brasil / Drug use among children between zero and six years old: a population baseline study in the south of Brazil

O objetivo do artigo é estimar a prevalência de utilização de medicamentos em crianças de zero a seis anos, analisando as características sociodemográficas associadas, e avaliar a adequação dos medicamentos quanto às indicações em pediatria e às restrições por faixa etária. Estudo transversal de amostra constituída por crianças de seis anos ou menos residentes em uma cidade no sul do Brasil, através de amostragem por conglomerados. Aplicou-se questionário padronizado sobre o uso de medicamentos nos 15 dias anteriores à entrevista. Foi realizada análise descritiva e avaliada a associação entre o uso de medicamentos e fatores sociodemográficos, além da análise da adequação dos medicamentos mais prevalentes. Das 687 crianças avaliadas, 52% utilizaram pelo menos um medicamento no período estudado. Não foram encontradas associações entre o uso de medicamentos e características sociodemográficas, à exceção da renda per capita mensal. O medicamento mais utilizado foi o paracetamol (17,1%), seguido da amoxicilina (9,5%) e da dipirona (8,4%). Entre os dez medicamentos mais utilizados, seis apresentaram restrições de faixa etária em pediatria. Os resultados indicam uso expressivo de medicamentos, incluindo os com restrições de faixa etária, particularmente em crianças menores de dois anos.

The scope of this article was to estimate the prevalence of medication use in children between zero and six years old, analyzing the associated socio-demographic characteristics, and evaluating the adequacy of the medication with respect to pediatric recommendations and restrictions per age group. A cross-sectional study was conducted by means of cluster sampling on a sample comprised of children aged six or under, residents of a city in the south of Brazil. A standardized questionnaire about medication use 15 days prior to the interview was applied. A descriptive analysis was carried out, and the association between medication use and socio-demographic factors was evaluated, as well as the analysis of the pediatric adequacy of the most prevalent medication. Of the 687 children evaluated, 52% used at least one drug in the period. Associations between medication use and socio-demographic characteristics were not found, with the exception of per capita monthly income. The most prevalent medication was paracetamol (17.1%), followed by amoxicillin (9.5%) and dipyrone (8.4%). Among the ten drugs most used in children, six had pediatric restrictions for the age group. The results indicate significant use of medication, including medication with age restrictions, particularly for children under two years of age.

[Drug use among children between zero and six years old: a population baseline study in the south of Brazil]. / Utilização de medicamentos entre crianças de zero a seis anos: um estudo de base populacional no sul do Brasil.

The scope of this article was to estimate the prevalence of medication use in children between zero and six years old, analyzing the associated socio-demographic characteristics, and evaluating the adequacy of the medication with respect to pediatric recommendations and restrictions per age group. A cross-sectional study was conducted by means of cluster sampling on a sample comprised of children aged six or under, residents of a city in the south of Brazil. A standardized questionnaire about medication use 15 days prior to the interview was applied. A descriptive analysis was carried out, and the association between medication use and socio-demographic factors was evaluated, as well as the analysis of the pediatric adequacy of the most prevalent medication. Of the 687 children evaluated, 52% used at least one drug in the period. Associations between medication use and socio-demographic characteristics were not found, with the exception of per capita monthly income. The most prevalent medication was paracetamol (17.1%), followed by amoxicillin (9.5%) and dipyrone (8.4%). Among the ten drugs most used in children, six had pediatric restrictions for the age group. The results indicate significant use of medication, including medication with age restrictions, particularly for children under two years of age.

Análise de incompatibilidades de medicamentos intravenosos no centro de tratamento intensivo adulto do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre / Analysis of intravenous drug incompatibilities at the adult intensive care unit of Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre

Introdução: As incompatibilidades medicamentosas quando ocorrem são consideradas erro de medicação, e o produto resultante pode afetar a eficácia e a segurança da terapia, sendo que conhecer seus fundamentos pode ajudar a prevenir sua ocorrência diminuindo, assim, seus riscos. Objetivos: Identificar e quantificar as incompatibilidades físico-químicas entre medicamentos administrados através da via intravenosa em pacientes internados no Centro de Tratamento Intensivo (CTI) do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), observar a possibilidade de orientações farmacêuticas para a administração dos medicamentos incompatíveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal, no qual foram avaliadas as prescrições de Março a Maio de 2010, a partir dos prontuários eletrônicos, verificando a ocorrência de incompatibilidades medicamentosas entre as formas farmacêuticas intravenosas. Foi realizada uma intervenção farmacêutica por meio de orientações quanto à administração dos medicamentos identificados como incompatíveis. Resultados: Foram analisadas 65 prescrições médicas, destas 51 apresentaram incompatibilidade entre os medicamentos. A média de medicamentos intravenosos foi de sete (DP±1,6) por prescrição. Foram identificadas 177 incompatibilidades entre 35 medicamentos diferentes, que levaram a 71 possibilidades de interação. Os medicamentos mais envolvidos nas incompatibilidades foram o Midazolam (18,1%) e a Insulina (10,5%). As incompatibilidades mais encontradas foram entre Midazolam e Piperacilina+Tazobactam (9,6%) e entre Insulina e Noradrenalina (7,9%). Das 51 prescrições que geraram orientação farmacêutica, 13 destas puderam ser realizadas pela equipe de enfermagem. Conclusão: As incompatibilidades medicamentosas podem ser identificadas e evitadas com a presença do farmacêutico na unidade de internação, diminuindo a ocorrência de efeitos indesejáveis ao paciente.

Background: Drug incompatibilities are considered medication errors and their result may affect the effectiveness and safety of treatment. Knowing the reasons for drug incompatibilities can help prevent their occurrence, thus reducing their risks. Aims: To identify and quantify physical-chemical incompatibilities between medications administered intravenously to patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital das Clínicas of Porto Alegre (HCPA), and to observe the possibility of pharmaceutical instructions for the administration of incompatible drugs. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which prescriptions from March to May 2010 were evaluated using electronic medical charts, verifying the occurrence of medication incompatibilities between intravenous pharmaceutical forms. A pharmaceutical intervention was conducted using instructions for the administration of those medications identified as incompatible. Results: Sixty-five medical prescriptions were analyzed, 51 of which with incompatibility between drugs. The mean number of intravenous medications was seven (SD±1.6) per prescription. A total of 177 incompatibilities were identified among 35 different drugs, which led to 71 possibilities of interaction. The drugs most often involved in incompatibilities were midazolam (18.1%) and insulin (10.5%). The most common incompatibilities found were between midazolam and piperacillin + tazobactam (9.6%) and between insulin and noradrenalin (7.9%). Of the 51 prescriptions that generated pharmaceutical instructions, 13 could be performed by the nursing team. Conclusion: Drug incompatibilities can be identified and avoided with the presence of the pharmacist at hospital admission units, reducing the occurrence of undesirable effects on patients.