Impact of implementing a vancomycin protocol to reduce kidney toxicity: A comparative study.

Introduction: Vancomycin is a frequently used antibiotic for treating severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant, Gram-positive pathogens. To ensure its effectiveness and minimize the risk of nephrotoxicity, safe administration and dose monitoring are crucial. Understanding the impact of vancomycin serum levels on clinical outcomes is of paramount importance, necessitating improved knowledge on its use, dose monitoring, nephrotoxicity, and safe administration. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients receiving vancomycin before and after the implementation of an institutional protocol for vancomycin administration in a public tertiary hospital in southern Brazil. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, analyzing data from the electronic medical records of 422 patients who received vancomycin. The patient population was divided into two independent cohorts: those treated in 2016 (pre-protocol) and those treated in 2018 (post-protocol), following the implementation of the institutional vancomycin administration protocol. Results: The study included 211 patients in each year of assessment. Patients from both cohorts had a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of 4. The post-protocol cohort consisted of older individuals, with a mean age of 62.8 years. In addition, patients in the post-protocol year had higher baseline creatinine levels, higher rates of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization, and increased use of vasopressors. In the pre-protocol year, patients received vancomycin therapy for a longer duration. When comparing the incidence of AKI between the two groups, an intervention study revealed rates of 38.4% in group 1 and 20.9% in group 2, indicating a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the post-protocol group. A logistic regression model was developed to predict AKI, incorporating variables that demonstrated significance (p ≤ 0.250) in bivariate analysis and those recognized in the literature as important factors for AKI, such as the duration of therapy, vancomycin serum level, and ICU hospitalization. The logistic regression classification performance was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, yielding an area under the curve of 0.764, signifying acceptable discrimination of the regression model. Conclusion: Implementation of the institutional protocol for vancomycin administration resulted in a significant and cost-effective impact, ensuring appropriate therapeutic dosing, reducing adverse events (e.g., nephrotoxicity), and improving clinical outcomes for patients in the study population.

Eventos adversos a medicamentos entre idosos no Brasil antes e após o início da pandemia da COVID-19 / Adverse drug events among older adults in Brazil before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introdução: Danos decorrentes de eventos adversos relacionados a medicamentos (EAM) estão entre os mais frequentes no mundo. Logo, seu monitoramento é essencial, especialmente entre os idosos que apresentam maior risco de sofrer tais danos. Adicionalmente, a pandemia da COVID-19, a sua elevada incidência entre idosos e o uso frequente de medicamentos off-label reforçaram a importância do monitoramento de EAM nessa população. Objetivo: Descrever as suspeitas de EAM entre idosos no Brasil antes e após o início da pandemia por COVID-19. Método: Foi realizada a descrição das suspeitas de EAM notificadas no sistema VigiMed da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária envolvendo idosos (idade ≥ 65 anos) no período pré-pandemia (01/2019 a 03/2020) e pós-início da pandemia (04/2020 a 06/2021). A diferença entre a proporção de EAM graves entre os períodos foi avaliada mediante teste qui-quadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Foram notificadas 57.167 suspeitas de EAM no período global avaliado; 22,2% envolviam idosos. No período pré-pandemia, 2.924 suspeitas de EAM foram notificadas (44,2% eram EAM graves), destacando-se aquelas envolvendo antineoplásicos, antimicrobianos e anticoagulantes. No período pós-início da pandemia, 9.771 suspeitas de EAM foram notificadas (57,5% graves), destacando-se a hidroxicloroquina e as vacinas contra a COVID-19. A diferença na proporção de suspeitas de EAM graves notificadas para idosos entre os períodos avaliados foi estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,001). Conclusões: Notificações de EAM e estudos que avaliem EAM entre idosos são essenciais para gerar informações que possam subsidiar a otimização da farmacoterapia e a priorização de redução de danos entre eles, sobretudo no contexto pandêmico que afeta consideravelmente essa população.

Introduction: Harm resulting from adverse drug events (ADE) is among the most frequent in the world. Therefore, its monitoring is essential, especially among older adults, who are at greater risk of suffering such type of harm. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic, its high incidence among older adults and frequent use of off-label medications have reinforced the importance of monitoring ADE in this population. Objective: To describe the suspected ADE among older adults in Brazil before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A description of suspected ADEs reported in the VigiMed system of the National Health Surveillance Agency was carried out, involving older adults (age ≥ 65 years) in the pre- (01/2019 to 03/2020) and post-onset of the pandemic period (04/2020 to 06/2021). The difference between the proportion of severe ADE between the periods was evaluated using Pearson's chi-square test. Results: 57,167 suspected ADE were reported in the global period evaluated; 22.2% involved older adults. In the pre-pandemic period, 2,924 suspected ADEs were reported (44.2% were severe ADEs), especially those involving antineoplastic, antimicrobial, and anticoagulant drugs. In the post-pandemic period, 9,771 suspected ADEs were reported (57.5% severe), especially related to hydroxychloroquine and vaccines against COVID-19. The difference in the proportion of severe suspected ADE reported for the older adults between the periods evaluated was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: ADE notifications and studies that evaluate ADE among older adults are essential to generate information that can support drug therapy optimization and prioritization of harm reduction among them, especially in the pandemic context that considerably affects this population.

Patients' medication reconciliation in a university hospital

Abstract Medication reconciliation is a strategy to minimize medication errors at the transition points of care. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of medication reconciliation in identifying and resolving drug discrepancies in the admission of adult patients to a university hospital. The study was carried out in a 300-bed large general public hospital, in which a reconciled list was created between drugs prescribed at admission and those used at pre-admission, adapting prescriptions from the pharmacotherapeutic guidelines of the hospital studied and the patients' clinical conditions. One hundred seven patients were included, of which 67,3% were women, with a mean age of 56 years. Two hundred twenty-nine discrepancies were found in 92 patients; of these, 21.4% were unintentional in 31.8% of patients. The pharmacist performed 49 interventions, and 47 were accepted. Medication omission was the highest occurrence (63.2%), followed by a different dose (24.5%). Thirteen (26.5%) of the 49 unintentional discrepancies included high-alert medications according to ISMP Brazil classification. Medication reconciliation emerges as an important opportunity for the review of pharmacotherapy at transition points of care, based on the high number of unintentional discrepancies identified and resolved. During the drug reconciliation process, the interventions prevented the drugs from being misused or omitted during the patient's hospitalization and possibly after discharge.

Identificação de riscos e práticas na utilização de medicamentos potencialmente perigosos em hospital universitário / Identificación de riesgos y prácticas en el uso de medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos en un hospital universitario / Identification of risks and practices in the use of high alert medications in a university hospital

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar as prescrições de medicamentos potencialmente perigosos e identificar as práticas adotadas na dispensação em hospital universitário público de alta complexidade, propondo estratégias para prevenção de eventos adversos. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado com 566 prescrições, em três turnos, no período de abril a dezembro de 2016. A identificação de práticas para dispensação foi por observação direta com aplicação de checklist baseado no protocolo do Ministério da Saúde (MS) /Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Utilizou-se teste não paramétrico do qui-quadrado de independência para avaliar a associação entre prescrições com e sem medicamentos potencialmente perigosos e unidades de internação. Resultados: mais da metade das prescrições (56,6%) continha dois ou mais medicamentos potencialmente perigosos e quase todos injetáveis (95,4%), principalmente analgésicos opioides (31,2%), glicose 50% (24,7%) e insulina NPH e regular (24,3%). A taxa dos prescritos correspondeu a 18,2%. As principais práticas que representaram riscos foram: distribuição coletiva de cloreto de potássio e insulina; falta de etiquetas de alerta; dupla conferência inexistente; uso de fontes de interrupção/distração em 43,9% das prescrições atendidas. Conclusão: apesar de serem frequentes em mais da metade das prescrições, as práticas adotadas na dispensação de medicamentos potencialmente perigosos foram insuficientes para uma dispensação segura, podendo comprometer a administração desses medicamentos e causar danos aos pacientes. É importante a implementação do protocolo do MS/ANVISA para prevenção de erros de medicação, em consonância com o terceiro desafio global da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS).

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar las prescripciones de medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos e identificar las prácticas adoptadas en la dispensación en un hospital universitario público de alta complejidad, proponiendo estrategias para prevenir eventos adversos. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado con 566 prescripciones, en tres turnos, de abril a diciembre de 2016. La identificación de prácticas de dispensación se realizó mediante observación directa con aplicación de una lista de verificación basada en el protocolo del Ministerio de Salud (MS) / Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA). Se utilizó una prueba de independencia chi-cuadrado no paramétrica para evaluar la asociación entre las prescripciones con y sin medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos con unidades de hospitalización. Resultados: más de la mitad de las prescripciones (56.6%) contenían dos o más fármacos potencialmente peligrosos , la mayoría inyectables (95.4%), principalmente analgésicos opioides (31.2%), glucosa 50% (24.7%) e insulina NPH y regular (24.3%). La tasa de prescripción correspondió al 18,2%. Las principales prácticas que representaban riesgos fueron: distribución colectiva de cloruro de potasio e insulina; falta de etiquetas de advertencia; falta de doble verificación; uso de fuentes de interrupción / distracción en el 43,9% de las prescripciones atendidas. Conclusión: a pesar de ser frecuente en más de la mitad de las prescripciones, las prácticas adoptadas en la dispensación de fármacos potencialmente peligrosos fueron insuficientes para la dispensación segura, lo que podría comprometer la administración de estos medicamentos y perjudicar a los pacientes. Es importante implementar el protocolo MS/ANVISA para prevenir errores de medicación, en línea con el tercer desafío global de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS).

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the prescriptions of high alert medications and to identify the practices adopted in the dispensing in a high complexity public university hospital, proposing strategies to prevent adverse events. Methods: a cross-sectional study carried out with 566 prescriptions, in three shifts, from April to December 2016. The identification of practices for dispensing was by direct observation with the application of a checklist based on the protocol of the Ministry of Health (MH)/National Health Surveillance Agency(ANVISA) (Ministério da Saúde/Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária). A non-parametric chi-square test of independence was used to assess the association between prescriptions with and without high alert medications and inpatient units. Results: more than half of the prescriptions (56.6%) contained two or more high alert medications and almost all were injectable (95.4%), mainly opioid analgesics (31.2%), glucose 50% (24.7%), and NPH and regular insulin (24.3%). The prescription rate corresponded to 18.2%. The main practices that represented risks were the following: collective distribution of potassium chloride and insulin; lack of warning labels; non-existent double check; presence of interruption/distraction sources in 43.9% of the prescriptions met. Conclusion: despite being frequent in more than half of the prescriptions, the practices adopted in the dispensing of high alert medications were insufficient for a safe dispensing, which could compromise the administration of these drugs and cause harm to the patients. It is important to implement the MH/ANVISA protocol for preventing medication errors, in consonance with the third global challenge of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Electronic prescription: frequency and severity of medication errors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of prescriptions errors with potentially dangerous drugs (heparin and potassium chloride for injection concentrate) before and after the introduction of a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that compared errors in manual/pre-typed prescriptions in 2007 (Stage 1) with CPOE prescriptions in 2014 (Stage 2) (Total = 1,028 prescriptions), in two high-complexity hospitals of Belo Horizonte, Brasil. RESULTS: An increase of 25% in the frequency of errors in Hospital 1 was observed after the intervention (p<0.001). In contrast, a decreased error frequency of 85% was observed in Hospital 2 (p<0.001). Regarding potassium chloride, the error rate remained unchanged in Hospital 1 (p>0.05). In Hospital 2, a significant decrease was recorded in Stage 2 (p<0.001). A reduced error severity with heparin (p<0.001) was noted, while potassium chloride-related prescription severity remain unchanged (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and severity of medication errors after the introduction of CPOE was affected differently in the two hospitals, which shows a need for thorough observation when the prescription system is modified. Control of new potential errors introduced and their causes for the adoption of measures to prevent these events must be in place during and after the implementation of this technology.

Fatores associados a erros de dispensação de medicamentos: contribuição à melhoria de sistemas de medicação / Factors associated with medication dispensing errors: contributions to improve medication systems / Factores asociados a errores de dispensación de medicamentos: contribución para mejorar los sistemas de medicación

Objetivo: identificar tipos de erros na dispensação de medicamentos (ED), analisar fatores associados e propor medidaspara prevenção de acidentes. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 5.604 medicamentos dispensados em hospital universitário brasileiro, em 2016/2017. Após obtenção dos dados, pela aplicação de checklist e abertura dos kits de dispensação, utilizou-se regressão hierarquizada ajustada para identificação dos fatores associados ao ED. Resultados: os ED ocorreram em 236 medicamentos e os métodos de cálculo mostraram as taxas: 4,2%, 7,3% e 24,9%. Os principais erros foram de conteúdo por desvio de qualidade e de omissão. No modelo final da regressão, permaneceram associadas ao aumento da chance de ED as variáveis: turno da noite e presença de fonte de interrupção/distração. Conclusão: a frequência de ED foi mais baixa quando se utilizou o método de cálculo do Ministério da Saúde. Os fatores relacionados ao turno noturno e ao uso de fontes de interrupção/distração podem estar associados a ED, especialmente a omissão.

Objective: to identify types of medication dispensing (DE) errors, to analyze its associated factors and to propose action for preventing accidents. Method: a cross-sectional study was performed with 5,604 drugs dispensed in a Brazilian teaching hospital, in 2016/2017. After data collection, by applying a checklist and opening dispensing kits, adjusted hierarchical regression was applied to identify factors associated with DE. Results: DE occurred in 236 medications and calculation methods led to the rates: 4.2%, 7.3%. and 24.9%. The main dispensing errors were related to content, due to quality deviation, and omission. In the final regression model, the following variables remained associated with an increased chance of DE: overnight shift and the presence of interruption/distraction sources. Conclusion: the frequency of DE was low when using the calculation method of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Factors related to the night shift and the use of interruption/distraction sources can be associated with DE, especially those related to omission.

Objetivo: identificar los tipos de errores en la dispensación de medicamentos (ED), analizar los factores asociados y proponer medidas de prevención de accidentes. Método: estudio transversal realizado con 5,604 medicamentos dispensados en un hospital universitario brasileño, en 2016/2017. Después de obtidos los datos, aplicando un checklist y abriendo los kits de dispensación, se utilizó la regresión jerárquica ajustada para identificar los factores asociados con la DE. Resultados: ocurrió ED en 236 medicamentos y los métodos de cálculo mostraron las tasas: 4.2%, 7.3% y 24.9%. Los principales errores fueron de contenido debido a la desviación de calidad y la omisión. En el modelo de regresión final, las variables: turno nocturno y presencia de fuentes de interrupción/distracción permanecieron asociadas con mayor probabilidad de ED. Conclusión: la frecuencia de DE fue menor cuando se utilizó el método de cálculo del Ministerio de Salud. Los factores relacionados con el turno nocturno y el uso de fuentes de interrupción/distracción pueden estar asociados con DE, especialmente la omisión.

Electronic prescription: frequency and severity of medication errors

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of prescriptions errors with potentially dangerous drugs (heparin and potassium chloride for injection concentrate) before and after the introduction of a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that compared errors in manual/pre-typed prescriptions in 2007 (Stage 1) with CPOE prescriptions in 2014 (Stage 2) (Total = 1,028 prescriptions), in two high-complexity hospitals of Belo Horizonte, Brasil. RESULTS: An increase of 25% in the frequency of errors in Hospital 1 was observed after the intervention (p<0.001). In contrast, a decreased error frequency of 85% was observed in Hospital 2 (p<0.001). Regarding potassium chloride, the error rate remained unchanged in Hospital 1 (p>0.05). In Hospital 2, a significant decrease was recorded in Stage 2 (p<0.001). A reduced error severity with heparin (p<0.001) was noted, while potassium chloride-related prescription severity remain unchanged (p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and severity of medication errors after the introduction of CPOE was affected differently in the two hospitals, which shows a need for thorough observation when the prescription system is modified. Control of new potential errors introduced and their causes for the adoption of measures to prevent these events must be in place during and after the implementation of this technology.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência e a gravidade de erros em prescrições envolvendo medicamentos potencialmente perigosos (heparina e cloreto de potássio concentrado injetável) antes e após a introdução de um sistema de prescrição eletrônica. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo que comparou erros em prescrições manuais e pré-digitadas de 2007 (Fase 1) com prescrições eletrônicas de 2014 (Fase 2) (total = 1.028 prescrições), em dois hospitais de alta complexidade de Belo Horizonte. RESULTADOS: Foi observado no hospital 1 aumento de 25% dos erros depois da intervenção (p<0,001), e no hospital 2 foi verificada redução de 85% (p<0,001). Para o cloreto de potássio, a frequência de erros permaneceu a mesma no hospital 1 (p>0,05), independentemente da fase e, no hospital 2, ocorreu redução significativa na fase 2 (p<0,001). Foi identificada redução da gravidade dos erros com a heparina (p<0,001), mas não houve alteração na gravidade dos erros com cloreto de potássio (p>0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A frequência e a gravidade dos erros de medicação após a introdução de prescrição eletrônica foram impactadas de forma diferente nos dois hospitais, demonstrando necessidade de observação criteriosa quando o sistema de prescrição é modificado. Durante e após a implantação dessa tecnologia, deve existir controle dos novos erros potenciais introduzidos e suas causas para a adoção de medidas de prevenção desses eventos.

Antiplatelet agents in perioperative noncardiac surgeries: to maintain or to suspend?

BACKGROUND: When prescribing antiplatelet agents, physicians face the challenge of protecting patients from thromboembolic events without inducing bleeding damage. However, especially in the perioperative period, the use of these medications requires a carefully balanced assessment of their risks and benefits. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to check whether the antiplatelet agent is to be maintained or suspended in the perioperative period of noncardiac surgeries. SEARCH STRATEGY: A comprehensive literature search using Science Direct, Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, and Web of Science was undertaken. SELECTION CRITERIA: Clinical trials of noncardiac surgeries with patients taking regular anti-platelet therapy, published between 2013 and 2018. RESULTS: A total of 1,302 studies were initially identified, with only four meeting the inclusion criteria. The selected studies were conducted in different countries such as, including India (2), Serbia (1), and the USA (1). The age group was similar in all studies, from 61 to 75 years. The most frequent surgery was related to tooth extraction and transurethral resection of bladder cancer. There was a group of patients who used single antiplatelet agents and groups who used single therapy and double therapy. Acetylsalicylic acid was the common drug in all studies. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the clinical trials were classified as good quality and that it was not necessary to suspend antiplatelet therapy prior to surgical procedures such as dental extraction and transurethral resection of bladder cancer. It should be noted that it is necessary to jointly evaluate the type of antiplatelet agent, the thrombotic risk of the patient, and the hemorrhagic risk of the surgical procedure.

Factors Associated with Inadequate Management of Antiplatelet Agents in Perioperative Period of Non-Cardiac Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: The current guidelines dispose recommendations to manage antiplatelet agents in the perioperative period; however, the daily medical practices lack standardization. OBJECTIVES: To asses factors associated with inadequate management of antiplatelet agents in the perioperative period of non-cardiac surgeries. METHODS: Cross-sectional Study conducted in hospital from October 2014 to October 2016. The study dependent variable was a therapy that did not comply with the recommendations in the Brazilian Association of Cardiology (SBC) guidelines. The independent variables included some characteristics, the people in charge of the management and causes of lack of adherence to those guidelines. Variables were included in the multivariate model. Analysis was based on the odds ratio (OR) value and its respective 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated by means of logistic regression with 5% significance level. RESULTS: The sample was composed of adult patients submitted to non-cardiac surgeries and who would use acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or clopidogrel (n = 161). The management failed to comply with the recommendations in the guidelines in 80.75% of the sample. Surgeons had the highest number of noncomplying orientations (n = 63). After multivariate analysis it was observed that patients with a higher level of schooling (OR = 0.24; CI95% 0.07-0.78) and those with a previous episode of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (OR = 0.18; CI95% 0.04-0.95) had a higher probability of using a therapy complying with the guidelines. CONCLUSION: Positive association between patients' schooling level, or those with a history of previous AMI, with management of the use of aspirin and clopidogrel in the perioperative period of non-cardiac surgeries. However, diverging conducts stress the need of having internal protocol defined.

Factors Associated with Inadequate Management of Antiplatelet Agents in Perioperative Period of Non-Cardiac Surgeries / Fatores Associados com o Manejo Inadequado de Antiagregantes Plaquetários em Perioperatório de Cirurgias não Cardíacas

Abstract Background: The current guidelines dispose recommendations to manage antiplatelet agents in the perioperative period; however, the daily medical practices lack standardization. Objectives: To asses factors associated with inadequate management of antiplatelet agents in the perioperative period of non-cardiac surgeries. Methods: Cross-sectional Study conducted in hospital from October 2014 to October 2016. The study dependent variable was a therapy that did not comply with the recommendations in the Brazilian Association of Cardiology (SBC) guidelines. The independent variables included some characteristics, the people in charge of the management and causes of lack of adherence to those guidelines. Variables were included in the multivariate model. Analysis was based on the odds ratio (OR) value and its respective 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated by means of logistic regression with 5% significance level. Results: The sample was composed of adult patients submitted to non-cardiac surgeries and who would use acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or clopidogrel (n = 161). The management failed to comply with the recommendations in the guidelines in 80.75% of the sample. Surgeons had the highest number of noncomplying orientations (n = 63). After multivariate analysis it was observed that patients with a higher level of schooling (OR = 0.24; CI95% 0.07-0.78) and those with a previous episode of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (OR = 0.18; CI95% 0.04-0.95) had a higher probability of using a therapy complying with the guidelines. Conclusion: Positive association between patients' schooling level, or those with a history of previous AMI, with management of the use of aspirin and clopidogrel in the perioperative period of non-cardiac surgeries. However, diverging conducts stress the need of having internal protocol defined.

Resumo Fundamento: As diretrizes atuais apresentam recomendações para o manejo de antiagregantes plaquetários em perioperatório, entretanto, na prática clínica diária há falta de padronização das condutas médicas. Objetivos: Avaliar os fatores associados ao manejo inadequado de antiagregantes plaquetários em perioperatório de cirurgias não cardíacas. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado de outubro de 2014 a outubro de 2016, em hospital. A variável dependente do estudo foi a terapia divergente das recomendações das diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia (SBC). As variáveis independentes incluíram algumas características, os responsáveis pelo manejo e as causas de não adesão às diretrizes. As variáveis foram incluídas no modelo multivariado. A análise se baseou no valor de oddsratio (OR) e seu respectivo intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%, estimados por regressão logística com um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de pacientes adultos submetidos a cirurgias não cardíacas e que faziam uso de ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) ou clopidogrel (n = 161). O manejo esteve em desacordo com aquele preconizado pelas diretrizes em 80,75% da amostra. Os cirurgiões realizaram o maior número (n = 63) de orientações em desacordo. Após a análise multivariada, observou-se que os pacientes com nível de escolaridade superior (OR = 0,24; IC95% 0,07-0,78) e aqueles com episódio prévio de infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) (OR = 0,18; IC95% 0,04-0,95) possuem maior chance de utilizar a terapia em concordância com as recomendações. Conclusão: Associação positiva entre o nível de escolaridade dos pacientes ou histórico prévio de IAM com o manejo do uso de AAS e clopidogrel em perioperatório de cirurgias não cardíacas. Porém as divergências nas condutas reforçam a necessidade de definição de protocolos internos.

Erros de prescrição e administração envolvendo um medicamento potencialmente perigoso / Prescription and administration errors involving a potentially dangerous medicine

Objetivo: identificar os principais erros de prescrição e administração de enoxaparina. Método: estudo transversal, de abordagem quantitativa. Observação de todos os técnicos de enfermagem do serviço diurno da unidade de terapia intensiva, clínica médica e cirúrgica em administrações de enoxaparina e suas respectivas prescrições, conforme o cálculo amostral. Na administração foi utilizada técnica de observação direta e na prescrição checklist do protocolo de prescrição uso e administração de medicamentos. Os softwares EpiData3.1 e SPSS 21.0 auxiliaram na tabulação e análise dos dados, apresentados em tabelas. Resultados: foram analisadas 175 prescrições e administrações. Os principais erros de prescrição foram idade incorreta do paciente e ausência da duração do tratamento. Para os erros de administração, identificou-se dose administrada incorreta, ausência da identificação do paciente no leito, técnica incorreta de administração e horário incorreto. Conclusão: foram demonstrados pontos de fragilidades que levam a erros de medicação, sendo necessário o aperfeiçoamento do sistema de prescrição e administração.

Influência do médico auditor na utilização de antimicrobianos e na taxa de infecção hospitalar em um hospital ortopédico - MG / Influence of doctor auditor at use of antimicrobials and on hospital infection rates in an orthopedic hospital – MG

O uso de antimicrobianos nas instituições hospitalares é uma ação conjunta do prescritor e do médico auditor visando o uso racional e a redução das infecções hospitalares. Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar a influência do médico auditor na utilização de antimicrobianos e na taxa de infecção hospitalar. Estudo quantitativo, descritivo, retrospectivo e comparativo de tendência temporal para o levantamento da prevalência de infecções durante a presença e a ausência do médico auditor do Serviço de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar e do consumo de antimicrobianos, no período de janeiro de 2008 a dezembro de 2009, em um hospital ortopédico com 86 leitos em Minas Gerais. No estudo, a prevalência de indicações antimicrobianas profiláticas foi de 69% para terapêuticas (31%) em 4.156 indicações. A classe antimicrobiana mais prescrita foi a das cefalosporinas e a menos prescrita, a dos sulfamídicos. Na ausência do auditor, a taxa de infecção hospitalar para osteomielite e sítio cirúrgico aumentou em relação à taxa média. Houve alteração na prescrição de antimicrobianos e na taxa de infecção hospitalar na ausência do auditor. As instituições hospitalares, portanto, devem ter um médico auditor no Serviço de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar para intervir nos processos de assistência ao paciente e garantir sua segurança.

Medication reconciliation in patients hospitalized in a cardiology unit.

OBJECTIVES: To compare drugs prescribed on hospital admission with the list of drugs taken prior to admission for adult patients admitted to a cardiology unit and to identify the role of a pharmacist in identifying and resolving medication discrepancies. METHOD: This study was conducted in a 300 bed university hospital in Brazil. Clinical pharmacists taking medication histories and reconciling medications prescribed on admission with a list of drugs used prior to admission. Discrepancies were classified as justified (e.g., based on the pharmacotherapeutic guidelines of the hospital studied) or unintentional. Treatments were reviewed within 48 hours following hospitalization. Unintentional discrepancies were further classified according to the categorization of medication error severity. Pharmacists verbally contacted the prescriber to recommend actions to resolve the discrepancies. RESULTS: A total of 181 discrepancies were found in 50 patients (86%). Of these discrepancies, 149 (82.3%) were justified changes to the patient's home medication regimen; however, 32 (17.7%) discrepancies found in 24 patients were unintentional. Pharmacists made 31 interventions and 23 (74.2%) were accepted. Among unintentional discrepancies, the most common was a different medication dose on admission (42%). Of the unintentional discrepancies 13 (40.6%) were classified as error without harm, 11 (34.4%) were classified as error without harm but which could affect the patient and require monitoring, 3 (9.4%) as errors could have resulted in harm and 5 (15.6%) were classified as circumstances or events that have the capacity to cause harm. CONCLUSION: The results revealed a high number of unintentional discrepancies and the pharmacist can play an important role by intervening and correcting medication errors at a hospital cardiology unit.

The evaluation of a novel model of providing ward pharmacy services.

BACKGROUND: In UK hospitals, traditional ward pharmacy services involve pharmacists visiting their wards once or twice a day each weekday. However, to provide a more patient orientated ward pharmacy service, we developed the Imperial Model of Ward Pharmacy. This is based on pharmacists seeing every drug chart every other day, allowing increased focus towards patients' needs on other days. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the Imperial Model of Ward Pharmacy on the prevalence of new medication orders that have not been screened by pharmacists, and doses omitted due to medication being unavailable. METHOD: We conducted an uncontrolled before-and-after study on eight medical wards. In each phase, we collected data on the number and prevalence of active medication orders that had not been screened by a pharmacist at the point of data collection, and the number and prevalence of regular doses documented as being omitted due to drug unavailability, or for which the administration record was left blank. RESULTS: The prevalence of unscreened medication orders reduced from 7.6 % of 1,433 orders to 4.1 % of 1,495 orders (p = 0.0002; Chi square test). There was no change in the prevalence of dose omissions (1.4 % in each phase of the study). CONCLUSION: This is a practical way to move to a more patient-focused service without affecting the safety of the service provided.

Concomitant prescribing and dispensing errors at a Brazilian hospital: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and types of prescribing and dispensing errors occurring with high-alert medications and to propose preventive measures to avoid errors with these medications. INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of adverse events in health care has increased, and medication errors are probably the most common cause of these events. Pediatric patients are known to be a high-risk group and are an important target in medication error prevention. METHODS: Observers collected data on prescribing and dispensing errors occurring with high-alert medications for pediatric inpatients in a university hospital. In addition to classifying the types of error that occurred, we identified cases of concomitant prescribing and dispensing errors. RESULTS: One or more prescribing errors, totaling 1,632 errors, were found in 632 (89.6%) of the 705 high-alert medications that were prescribed and dispensed. We also identified at least one dispensing error in each high-alert medication dispensed, totaling 1,707 errors. Among these dispensing errors, 723 (42.4%) content errors occurred concomitantly with the prescribing errors. A subset of dispensing errors may have occurred because of poor prescription quality. The observed concomitancy should be examined carefully because improvements in the prescribing process could potentially prevent these problems. CONCLUSION: The system of drug prescribing and dispensing at the hospital investigated in this study should be improved by incorporating the best practices of medication safety and preventing medication errors. High-alert medications may be used as triggers for improving the safety of the drug-utilization system.

Concomitant prescribing and dispensing errors at a Brazilian hospital: a descriptive study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and types of prescribing and dispensing errors occurring with high-alert medications and to propose preventive measures to avoid errors with these medications. INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of adverse events in health care has increased, and medication errors are probably the most common cause of these events. Pediatric patients are known to be a high-risk group and are an important target in medication error prevention. METHODS: Observers collected data on prescribing and dispensing errors occurring with high-alert medications for pediatric inpatients in a university hospital. In addition to classifying the types of error that occurred, we identified cases of concomitant prescribing and dispensing errors. RESULTS: One or more prescribing errors, totaling 1,632 errors, were found in 632 (89.6 percent) of the 705 high-alert medications that were prescribed and dispensed. We also identified at least one dispensing error in each high-alert medication dispensed, totaling 1,707 errors. Among these dispensing errors, 723 (42.4 percent) content errors occurred concomitantly with the prescribing errors. A subset of dispensing errors may have occurred because of poor prescription quality. The observed concomitancy should be examined carefully because improvements in the prescribing process could potentially prevent these problems. CONCLUSION: The system of drug prescribing and dispensing at the hospital investigated in this study should be improved by incorporating the best practices of medication safety and preventing medication errors. High-alert medications may be used as triggers for improving the safety of the drug-utilization system.