A problem of overprescribing of hypnotic medication ('sleeping tablets') was identified and quantified within a department of health care for older people in a district general hospital. Data on the volume of prescribing were obtained from computerized pharmacy records, and this information was supplemented by a retrospective survey of case notes of 100 patients. Sixty per cent of patients were...

To promote rational drug use in developing countries, assessment of drug use patterns using the WHO drug use indicators is becoming standard in documenting rational prescribing. The aim of this study was to assess the drug prescription patterns at the Outpatient Pharmacy Department of Sleman District Hospital, using the WHO drug use core indicators. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was cond...

729. Impact of An Electronic “Antibiotic Time Out” on Provider Prescribing Patterns Sui Kwong Li, MD; James S. Lewis II, PharmD, FIDSA; Graeme N. Forrest, MBBS, FIDSA; Miriam R. Elman, MPH and Jessina C. McGregor, PhD; Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, Department of Pharmacy, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, Division of I...

729. Impact of An Electronic “Antibiotic Time Out” on Provider Prescribing Patterns Sui Kwong Li, MD; James S. Lewis II, PharmD, FIDSA; Graeme N. Forrest, MBBS, FIDSA; Miriam R. Elman, MPH and Jessina C. McGregor, PhD; Division of Infectious Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, Department of Pharmacy, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, Division of I...

With prescription audit the main aim is to improve rational use of drugs. Irrational prescriptions can lead to adverse drugs reactions or sub therapeutic treatment and antimicrobial resistance. Irrational prescribing is a universal problem. Examples include: poly pharmacy, inadequate dosage, use of antimicrobials even for non-bacterial infections and excessive use of injections when oral forms ...

The push for hospitals to implement health information technology (HIT) systems, driven in part by Medicare and Medicaid incentives (and penalties), has affected pharmacy systems. It will continue to do so, as the defi nition of “meaningful use” is expanded to incorporate more required tasks related to medications. Everyone who works in a hospital pharmacy will be affected by how the federal go...

PURPOSE There is limited information on pediatric prescribing in Sierra Leone. This study evaluated prescribing patterns for under-five patients at Ola During Children's Hospital (ODCH) and assessed the extent of rational prescribing. METHODS A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study of 294 prescriptions, selected by systematic random sampling was conducted at the outpatient departm...

OBJECTIVE To investigate antibiotics prescribing patterns in the outpatient pediatric emergency clinic at Queen Rania Al Abdullah II Children's Hospital at Royal Medical Services in Amman, Jordan. METHODS The data was collected from the emergency pharmacy over the period of a -five consecutive months. The methodology recommended by the World Health Organization for investigating drug use in a...

147. An antibiotic stewardship program in the emergency department decreased piperacillin-tazobactam use and increased guideline-concordant antibiotic prescribing for uncomplicated cystitis Michelle Haas, MD; Bryan Knepper, MPH, MSc; Kevin Kaucher, PharmD; Kati Shihadeh, PharmD; Jeffrey Sankoff, MD; Timothy Jenkins, MD; Medicine/ Infectious Diseases, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO; Me...

OBJECTIVE This paper explored pharmacy staff perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) design in retail pharmacies using the sociotechnical systems framework. This study examined how adoption of e-prescribing technology is affecting clinical practice and patient care. MATERIALS AND METHODS Direct observations and think aloud protocols were used to c...