SURVEY OF DRUG PRESCRIBING TRENDS IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO GENERAL SURGERY WARDS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL
Dr. Amullya C. Pednekar* and Dr. Aditi A. Kudchadkar
ABSTRACT
Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyse drug prescribing patterns in surgery in-patients of Goa Medical College and to give recommendations to improve shortcomings in healthcare facilities, if any, to achieve the ultimate aim of optimum health for all. Materials and methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out and a total of 763 case records of in-patients admitted to general surgery ward of Goa Medical College was collected and analysed using MS Excel. The results were expressed in form of numbers and percentages. Results: Among the 763 case records analysed, 61.34% were males and 38.66% females. Average age of enrolled patients was 47.52 years. The average duration of hospital stay in surgery wards was 8.4 days. 40.50% of the patients had one or more associated co-morbid conditions in addition to their primary surgical diagnosis. Pancreatitis was the most common diagnosis in 71 (9.30%) patients enrolled in the study. Average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 13.35 drugs. Out of the total 10184 drugs prescribed, antimicrobials (1836; 18.03%) were the most commonly prescribed class of drugs. The most commonly preferred route of drug administration was injectable for 6511 (57.07%) drugs. 42.96% of the drugs were prescribed using generic name. Conclusion: Understanding the drug prescription patterns will help treating physicians to revise their prescribing habits as well as help the policy makers to revise or formulate new guidelines, thus delivering safe, effective and rational healthcare to our patients while reducing the financial burden on a developing economy like ours.
Keywords: Prescribing pattern, Drug utilization, Surgical ward, in-patients, WHO drug use indicators, tertiary hospital.
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