A National Survey of Hospital Adverse Drug Event Monitoring and Reporting Systems

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to collect information concerning the systems which hospitals have developed to monitor and report adverse drug events (ADE). In addition, the attitudes and perceptions of those coordinating the program toward postmarketing surveillance of such events were investigated. The sample was stratified by hospital size. Questionnaires were sent to 725 Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Care Organization accredited hospitals (30.5 small, 27.5 medium, and 14.5 large). Completed questionnaires were received from 306 respondents, representing a 42% overall response rate. Differences among the three groups were seen in the professional personnel involvement in the monitoring activities, reporters of ADEs, and dissemination of ADE information. Pharmacists had the biggest role in implementing this function and concurrent review methods generated the greatest percentage of ADEs. Overall, the systems were similar among hospitals of different sizes.

Epidemiology, Comparative Methods of Detection, and Preventability of Adverse Drug Events

“…However, a national survey of adverse drug reaction monitoring systems found that the ratio of nurses' reports to physicians' reports varied with the size of the hospital. 31 Institutions should use whatever source is best in their setting to detect, report, and reduce ADEs.…”

Experience with an Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program in a Neurology Specialty Clinic

“…5 A larger percentage of the population is seen in the ambulatory care setting than in hospitals or nursing homes.Although there are several published models describing ADR programs in the hospital setting, very few have addressed programs applicable to the ambulatory setting. 6,7 This deficiency in the literature may be secondary to the standards developed by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, which mandates a mechanism to identify and report ADRs in hospitals. This standard does not explicitly require ADR reporting in the ambulatory setting.…”