Admissions for drug-related problems at the Emergency Department of a University Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and Aim:Medication Errors can result in drug-related problems (DRPs). Insight into the frequency, type, and severity of DRPs could help reduce their incidence. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of admissions as a result of DRPs at the Emergency Department (ED) of a university hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods:Files of suspected cases of DRPs reporting to ED in the year 2012 were scrutinized. Suspicion arose from the hospital record system based on Diagnosis Code Numbers (ICD-9-CM, Professional 2010) and from triggers, such as some drugs, laboratory tests, and signs and symptoms pointing to DRPs.Results:Of 5574 admissions, 253 (4.5%) were DRPs and were categorized as: Overdose toxicity and side effects of drugs 50 (19.8%), drug-interactions 29 (11.5%), accidental and suicidal drug ingestions 26 (10.3%), drug abuse 18 (7.1%), drug allergy 10 (4%), super-infections 8 (3.2%), and noncompliance to treatment 112 (44.3%). About 70% of DRPs were preventable; 67 (26.5%) required hospital admission for 7-102 days and 10 (4%) died.Conclusions:Noncompliance to treatment, overdose toxicity, drug interactions, and drug abuse are important causes of hospital admissions as a result of DRPs. Awareness of prescribers to the problem and their education would help to prevent them and improve patient care.

Prevalence of Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits at a Teaching Hospital in Malaysia

“…The classes of drug most frequently implicated were anti-diabetics, cardiovascular system agents, central nervous system agents, antibiotics, anti-asthmatics, and diuretics, similar to findings from other studies [ 15 , 61 , 65 – 68 ]. This may be associated with the higher number of patients with chronic illness reported in the study.…”

Risk factors for drug-related problems in a general hospital: A large prospective cohort

“…Events related to medication use are common in adults [3] and children [4], at any level of care [5][6][7][8]. Problems involving medication are associated with a higher number of hospitalizations, long-term hospitalizations, admission to emergency services, additional visits to the doctor's office, additional prescriptions and death [9,10]. Therefore, the economic burden and morbimortality are evident [8,11,12].…”

Drug poisoning and associated factors in Western Saudi Arabia: A five-year retrospective chart review (2011–2016)

“…Over the past four decades, the field of pharmacy and drug therapy has seen a lot of developments, which have resulted in significant improvements in patient care, but at the same time, an increasing rate of drug-related problems accounts for an estimated 5%-10% of hospital admissions. 1 - 3 A drug-related problem is defined as “an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired health outcomes.” 1 , 2 , 4 Major drug-related problems include drug overdose and poisoning, which have started to attract international concern due to rising mortality and morbidity rates. 5 Several studies have reported that drug poisoning is a major cause of emergency department (ER) admissions, with various incidences across countries, regions, socioeconomic status, and cultures.…”