Yimer YS, Addis GT, Alemu MA. Evaluation of prescription completeness, rational drug-use patterns using WHO prescribing, patient-care and facility indicators in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.
SAGE Open Med 2022;
10:20503121221122422. [PMID:
36093419 PMCID:
PMC9459462 DOI:
10.1177/20503121221122422]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective:
Irrational medicine use results in diseases worsening, disability, death, and
wastage of limited resources. This study was predominantly aimed to evaluate
the rationality of medicine use patterns by assessing prescribing,
patient-care, and facility indicators at Debre Tabor Comprehensive
Specialized Hospital by using World Health Organization core drug use
indicators.
Methods:
A cross-sectional design was conducted to collect prescribing indicator data
from 780 prescriptions retrospectively from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 at
outpatient pharmacy of the hospital and exit interview was held
prospectively on 150 patients to evaluate patient-care indicators. In
addition, indicators for health-facility were assessed by actual observation
of the presence of different guidelines. Descriptive analysis of the
collected data was computed using SPSS version 25.
Result:
Totally, 1521 drugs were prescribed to 780 encounters. On average, 1.95 drugs
were prescribed per prescription. Percentage of encounters by generic name,
encounters with antibiotics and injection, and drugs from essential drug
list were 99.9%, 35.4%, 15.3%, and 100%, respectively. From healthcare
provider–related information, the names of prescribers and dispensers were
correctly written in 93.59% and 77.69%, respectively. Frequency (97.18%) and
route (86.15%) of drug administration were better stated in the reviewed
encounters, whereas dosage form is poorly stated (7.44%). Labeling of
dispensed medicine was obtained for only 10% of patients and patient
knowledge for correct dose was 94%. Availability of facility indicators was
95%.
Conclusion:
From the results of this study, it is possible to conclude that the
prescribing, patient-care, and facility indicators did not fulfill many
World Health Organization standards. Therefore, it is important if all
prescribers, dispensers, patients themselves, and the governing bodies take
an action to improve the prescribing and patient-care indicators for the
best of the end users.
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