EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESCRIPTION AUDITS IN HOSPITAL
Dr. Shazia Naaz and *Dr. Lakshmi Jyothi
ABSTRACT
Prescription audits in hospital settings play a vital role in clinical governance by ensuring the appropriate use of
medications, enhancing patient safety, and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. This mini-review highlights the
significance of prescription audits in identifying prescribing patterns, discrepancies, and areas for improvement.
Medication errors, with a global cost estimated at $42 billion annually, underscore the importance of these audits.
Implementation involves defining criteria for appropriate medication use, collecting, and analysing data, and
implementing interventions, leading to improved prescribing practices. Prescription audits have been effective in
reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and combating antimicrobial resistance. Clinical pharmacists play a crucial
role in enhancing audit efficacy, and bridging theory and practice. The integration of technology, such as
electronic health records and clinical decision support systems, further enhances the audit process. This minireview
emphasizes the indispensable role of prescription audits in patient care and calls for their diligent
implementation and continual evolution in healthcare institutions to elevate medication safety and efficacy.
Keywords: Prescription, Medication errors, Prescription Audits, Clinical Microbiologists, Clinical pharmacists, antimicrobial resistance.
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