ABSTRACT
AIM: to evaluate the appropriateness of drug administration in elderly patients hospitalized at the Internal Medicine Ward dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital based on indication, dosage, duration of treatment, potential adverse events, contraindication, and potential drug interactions. METHODS: a cross sectional observational study was performed in patients aged over >or= 60 years old staying at the Internal Medicine Ward. Appropriateness of drug administration was evaluated based on the support from literature. The supporting references being used were guidelines at the Internal Medicine Department, reference textbooks, and drug brochures for newly approved drugs but had not been listed in references nor guidelines. RESULTS: from 347 drug administrations in 43 patients, 228 of the drug administrations (67.71%) were considered appropriate for indication, 15.85% slightly inappropriate for indication, and 18.44% with inappropriate indication. From 228 drug administrations, 206 (90.35%) were administered with adequate dosage, 2.63% subtherapeutic dosage, 3.95% overdosage, and 3.07% undefined dosage. From 126 drug administration evaluated for duration of therapy, there were 77.78% administered with appropriate duration of therapy, 18.25% with inappropriate duration, and 3.97% undefined duration. Out of 347 drug administration there were 2 possibilities of adverse drug events, 5 drugs were actually contraindicated and 25 potential drug interaction. CONCLUSION: there were 67% of drugs appropriately administered for indication. From this number, 90% were using accurate dosage, of all drug administration there were 2 possibilities of adverse drug events, 5 drugs were contraindicated and 25 potentially interacted drugs. From 126 drugs evaluated for duration of therapy, 77.78% received the right duration of therapy.