Journal of Pharmacovigilance

Determining the incidence of potential drug interactions in a general hospital not using computerized prescribing; and assessing the influence on prescribers actions

9^th International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmacovigilance & Drug Safety

July 17-18, 2017 Munich, Germany

Saed Amarneh, B Olsburgh and R Levy

Laniado Hospital, Israel

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Pharmacovigil

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Drug interactions (DIs) can be a major cause of illness, mask underlying disease, prevent patient recovery, and prolong bed occupancy. Presently, within this hospital, there are no standardized procedures to identify potential drug interactions, (PDIs), because there is no drug interaction software. Aim: To identify the incidence of some common PDI�??s within the hospital and to influence prescribers�?? actions to common PDI�??s. Method: A selection of commonly used drugs known to have interactions with other drugs was chosen from a range of therapeutic groups. Pharmacists recorded PDI�??s from selected hospital departments. Data was collected over an initial ten week period. Each department received a report showing the number of patient records checked; number of PDI�??s; and if any action had been taken. Data was re-collected after a second ten week period. Findings: There was a significant increase in physician responses to reported PDI�??s from period one to two. Departmental percentage increased and ranged from 33% to 77%. The average increase across the selected departments was 51%. The incidence of PDI�??s over both periods remained relatively unchanged; 186 during period one (6.1% of records checked), 198 during period two (7.1% of records checked). Conclusions: The physicians�?? responses have been greatly improved by a heightened awareness to PDI�??s as a result of the mid-study report. We are unaware of the reasons for departmental differences in physicians�?? responses to PDI�??s and suggest this needs further investigation. The unchanged incidence of PDI�??s in the second period is predictable because the majority of actions taken were only the physicians acknowledging their awareness of the PDI.

Biography :

Saed Amarneh has vast experience in hospital pharmacy and is presently Director of Pharmaceutical Services at Laniado Hospital, Netanya. He completed his MSc in Pharmacy at Hebrew University (Jerusalem) and BSc at Jordan University of Science and Technology. He is especially interested in improving standards in the hospital pharmacy and introducing clinical pharmacy to all hospital departments. He has a number of publications reflecting his interests.

Email: Samarneh@laniado.org.il