Patients' medication reconciliation in a university hospital

Abstract Medication reconciliation is a strategy to minimize medication errors at the transition points of care. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of medication reconciliation in identifying and resolving drug discrepancies in the admission of adult patients to a university hospital. The study was carried out in a 300-bed large general public hospital, in which a reconciled list was created between drugs prescribed at admission and those used at pre-admission, adapting prescriptions from the pharmacotherapeutic guidelines of the hospital studied and the patients' clinical conditions. One hundred seven patients were included, of which 67,3% were women, with a mean age of 56 years. Two hundred twenty-nine discrepancies were found in 92 patients; of these, 21.4% were unintentional in 31.8% of patients. The pharmacist performed 49 interventions, and 47 were accepted. Medication omission was the highest occurrence (63.2%), followed by a different dose (24.5%). Thirteen (26.5%) of the 49 unintentional discrepancies included high-alert medications according to ISMP Brazil classification. Medication reconciliation emerges as an important opportunity for the review of pharmacotherapy at transition points of care, based on the high number of unintentional discrepancies identified and resolved. During the drug reconciliation process, the interventions prevented the drugs from being misused or omitted during the patient's hospitalization and possibly after discharge.

Profile of pharmaceutical care in primary health centers in São Bernardo do Campo, Southeastern Brazil

The effective insertion of the pharmacist into primary care is an important goal for health policies. The objective of this study was to describe and analyze pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Care in the primary health centers (UBS) of São Bernardo do Campo. Data were obtained through an interview applied to pharmacists. The instrument has three sections: (1) Pharmacist identification; (2) Pharmacist work; and (3) Pharmaceutical activities. Items in section 3 correspond to the guidelines of agencies that promote Pharmaceutical Care in the primary health system. All 24 pharmacists working in UBS in São Bernardo do Campo were interviewed. Every center dispensing medicines has a responsible pharmacist. These pharmacists are predominantly women and postgraduates. Activities of Pharmaceutical Care reported were: daily prescription analysis (75% of interviewees); monthly participation in patient groups (70.8%); monthly follow-up of pharmacotherapy adherence (58.3%); monthly participation in multiprofessional team meetings (54.2%); monthly home visits (12.5%); health education to the community (83.3%); and pharmacist consultation (37.5%). Frequency of prescription analysis and home visits was weakly associated with aspects of the pharmacist and the facility. This study showed that Pharmaceutical Services are structured in primary care in São Bernardo do Campo and many Pharmaceutical Care activities are offered in its UBS

Evaluation of platelet concentrate prescription in pediatric patients at a tertiary care hospital / Avaliação da prescrição de concentrado de plaquetas em pacientes pediátricos em hospital terciário

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the adequacy of platelet concentrate prescription by pediatricians in different pediatric sectors of a general hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating 218/227 platelet concentrate records in children and adolescents (zero to 13 years old), from January 2007 to April 2015, by the pediatricians of the emergency room, sick bay and intensive care unit. The requisitions were excluded in patients with hematological diseases and those without the number of platelets. Results: Children under 12 months received 98 platelet concentrates (45.2%). Most of the transfusions were prophylactic (165; 79%). Regarding the transfusion site, 39 (18%) were in the emergency room, 27 (12.4%) in the sick bay and 151 (69.6%) in the intensive care unit. The trigger, prescribed volume and platelet concentrate subtype were adequate in 59 (28.2%), 116 (53.5%) and 209 (96.3%) of the transfusions, respectively. Patients with hemorrhage presented adequacy in 42 (95.5%), while children without bleeding presented in 17 (10.3%). The most common inadequacy related to volume was the prescription above recommendation (95; 43.8%). Eight platelet concentrates were prescribed with subtype requests without indication. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study showed that transfusion of platelet concentrate occurred more adequately in children with active bleeding compared to prophylactic transfusion. There was a tendency to prescribe high volumes and platelet subtypes not justified according to current protocols. The teaching of transfusion medicine should be more valued at undergraduate and medical residency.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a adequação na prescrição de concentrado de plaquetas por pediatras em diferentes setores da pediatria de um hospital geral. Métodos: Estudo transversal avaliando 218/227 fichas de requisição de concentrado de plaquetas de crianças e adolescentes (zero a 13 anos), de janeiro de 2007 a abril de 2015 pelos pediatras do pronto-socorro, enfermaria e unidade de terapia intensiva. Excluíram-se as requisições em portadores de doenças hematológicas e aquelas sem o número de plaquetas. Resultados: Crianças com menos de 12 meses receberam 98 prescrições de concentrado de plaquetas (45,2%). A maioria das transfusões foi profiláticas (165; 79%). Em relação ao local da transfusão, 39 (18%) foram no pronto-socorro, 27 (12,4%) na enfermaria e 151 (69,6%) na unidade de terapia intensiva. O gatilho, o volume prescrito e o subtipo de concentrado de plaquetas foram adequados em 59 (28,2%), 116 (53,5%) e 209 (96,3%) das transfusões, respectivamente. Prescrições para pacientes com hemorragia apresentaram adequação em 42 (95,5%) transfusões, enquanto para crianças sem hemorragia houve adequação em 17 (10,3%) vezes. A inadequação mais comum em relação ao volume foi a prescrição acima da recomendação (95; 43,8%). Foram prescritos oito concentrados de plaquetas sem indicação de solicitação de subtipos. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos nesse estudo mostraram que a prescrição de transfusão de concentrado de plaquetas foi mais adequada em crianças com hemorragia ativa em comparação com a transfusão profilática. Houve tendência à prescrição de volumes elevados e de subtipos de plaquetas, o que não se justifica segundo os protocolos atuais. O ensino da medicina transfusional deve ser mais valorizado na graduação e na residência médica.

Assessment of the prescription of red blood cell concentrates in the pediatric age group / Avaliação da prescrição de concentrados de hemácias na faixa etária pediátrica

Summary Objective: To verify the adequacy of red blood cell (RBC) prescription to pediatric patients in different sectors of a pediatric hospital. Method: A retrospective study was conducted including 837/990 RBC transfusion requisition forms for children and adolescents (0 to 13 years old) filed in between January 2007 and April 2015 by the pediatricians of the emergency room (ER), infirmary ward and intensive care unit (pICU). Transfusion requisition forms belonging to patients with chronic anemia or acute hemorrhage, as well as incompletes requisition forms, were excluded. Results: Trigger, prescribed volume and subtype of RBC concentrates were adequate in 532 (65.3%), 460 (58.8%) and 805 (96.2%) of the transfusions, respectively. When the clinical picture was considered, prescription adequacy was higher compared to the use of the hemoglobin level alone (70.9% vs. 41%). The pICU had the highest correct trigger percentage (343 [71.6%]; p<0.001) while the ER showed more often adequate prescribed volumes (119 [66.1%]; p=0.020). The most common inadequacy regarding volume was that of prescriptions above the recommendation > 15 mL/kg found in 309 cases (36.9%). Thirty-two (32) RBC subtypes were requested and none were consistent with current recommendations. Conclusion: The results obtained in our study showed that RBC transfusion occurred more appropriately when the clinical picture was taken into account at request. There was a tendency to prescribe higher volumes and RBC subtypes without the justification of current protocols. Hemotherapic teachings at undergraduate level and medical residency must be improved.

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a adequação na prescrição de concentrado de hemácias (CH) por pediatras em diferentes setores de um hospital pediátrico. Método: Realizou-se estudo retrospectivo onde avaliamos 837/990 fichas de requisição de CH para crianças e adolescentes (0 a 13 anos), preenchidas entre janeiro de 2007 e abril de 2015 pelos médicos pediatras do pronto-socorro (PS), da enfermaria e da unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Excluíram-se as transfusões realizadas em portadores de anemia crônica, crianças com hemorragia aguda e requisições incompletas. Resultados: Gatilho, volume prescrito e subtipo de concentrado de hemácias foram adequados em 532 (65,3%), 460 (58,8%) e 805 (96,2%) das transfusões, respectivamente. Quando foi considerado o quadro clínico, a adequação foi maior em comparação à prescrição pelo valor isolado da hemoglobina (70,9% vs. 41%). A UTI teve o maior percentual de acerto no gatilho (343 [71,6%]; p<0,001) e o PS, no volume prescrito (119 [66,1%]; p=0,020). A inadequação mais comum, em relação ao volume, foi a prescrição acima da recomendação (> 15 mL/kg, 309 [36,9%]). Foram solicitados 32 subtipos de CH e nenhum estava de acordo com as indicações atuais. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos mostram que a transfusão de CH aconteceu de forma mais adequada quando a situação clínica era levada em conta na solicitação. Houve uma tendência à prescrição de volumes elevados e de subtipos de hemácias não justificados segundo os protocolos atuais. É necessário melhorar o ensino de hemoterapia na graduação e residência médica.

Utilização da lógica fuzzy na determinação da intensidade do exercício aeróbico / Use of fuzzy logic in determining the intensity of aerobic exercise / El uso de la lógica difusa en la determinación de la intensidad del ejercicio aeróbico

Considerando que as diretrizes de prescrição do treinamento aeróbio são gerais, alguns autores propuseram modelos que aumentem a precisão da prescrição. A lógica nebulosa tem sido utilizada para solução de problemas na área da saúde e sua utilização poderia melhorar o processo decisório sobre a intensidade com que cada indivíduo deverá se exercitar. O objetivo deste estudo é propor um modelo para determinação da intensidade do exercício aeróbio através da lógica nebulosa. Os conjuntos nebulosos foram moldados através de cinco variáveis de entrada, tendo como única variável de saída a intensidade do exercício. A partir desses conjuntos, foi desenvolvida uma matriz composta por 40 regras posteriormente incluídas no software MATLAB. A inferência e a defuzzyficação foram trabalhadas segundo os métodos de Mamdani e centro de área, respectivamente. O modelo desenvolvido é um aperfeiçoamento dos existentes na literatura e mostrouse promissor como estratégia de apoio à tomada de decisão para prescrição do treinamento aeróbio...

Since the prescribing guidelines of aerobic training are general, some authors have proposed modelsthat provide an increase in the accuracy of the prescription. Fuzzy logic has been used to solve problemsin the field of health and the use of this technique of artificial intelligence in exercise prescription could improve decision-making about the degree of intensity with which each individual must exercise himself. The objective of the present study is to propose a model for determining the intensity of aerobic exercise through a strategy of artificial intelligence (fuzzy logic). Fuzzy sets were shaped through five input variables having as output variable the intensity of the exercise. From these sets it was developed a matrix composed of 40 rules and subsequently these rules were included in the MATLAB software. The inference and the defuzzyfication were worked according to the methods of Mamdani and the center of area, respectively.The developed model is a refinement of those existing in the literature about the subject and proved to be apromising strategy giving support to the decision-making for the prescription of aerobic activities...

Teniendo en cuenta que las directrices de prescripción de entrenamiento aeróbico son generales, algunos autores han propuesto modelos para aumentar la precisión de la prescripción. La lógica difusa es utilizada com frequencia para resolver problemas en el cuidado de la salud y su uso podría mejorar la toma de decisiones dela intensidad con la cual cada individuo debe practicar el ejercicio. El objetivo de este estudio es proponer un modelo para determinar la intensidad del ejercicio aeróbico a través de la lógica difusa. Los conjuntos difusos se formaron a través de cinco variables de entrada, y la única variable de salida es la intensidad del ejercicio. Apartir de los conjuntos se ha desarrollado una matriz de 40 reglas más tarde incluidas en el software MATLAB. La inferencia y la defuzzyficación fueron elaboradas utilizando los métodos de Mamdani y el del centroide, respectivamente. El modelo es una mejora del modelo actual y se reveló prometedor como una estrategia de apoyo a la toma de decisiones para prescribir el entrenamiento aeróbico...

Antimicrobial agent prescription patterns for chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in patients with hematological malignancies at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman

The aim of this study was to describe the antimicrobial prescription patterns of patients with hematological malignancies who developed febrile neutropenia [FN] at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital [SQUH] in Oman. This was a retrospective observational study covering a period of 3 years [January 2007-February 2010]. FN episodes were studied in patients with hematological malignancies in three different wards at SQUH. A total of 176 FN episodes were analyzed. Overall, 64% of the 107 patients studied experienced at least 2 episodes during the analysis period. Approximately, 69% of the febrile neutropenia episodes had severe neutropenia. The duration of neutropenia was less than 1 week in the majority of the episodes [57%]. The mean duration of treatment was approximately 7 days, with no significant difference between specialties or different types of malignancies. Only 34 [19%] episodes had positive cultures, and most of these were from blood samples [30 episodes, 88%]. The majority of isolates were gram-negative organisms [63%]. The initial empirical treatment included monotherapy [37%], dual therapy [60%] and triple therapy [3%]. This study demonstrates that there is a large variation in the antimicrobial treatment of FN episodes in patients with hematological malignancies at SQUH. All chosen drugs were within international guideline recommendations

Anvisa e o cirurgião-dentista: do controle de qualidade de insumos às normas de prescrição de antimicrobianos / Health agency and the dentist: antimicrobial prescription and quality control of health apparatus

O objetivo do presente trabalho é descrever e discutir as normas de prescrição de Antimicro¬bianos definidas pela Anvisa (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária], e suas atividades regu¬latórias. Sendo os Cirurgiões-Dentistas, dentre os profissionais de saúde, aptos a prescrever uma série de grupos medicamentosos, estes deverão conhecer as normas, viabilizando o uso racional de drogas. A RDC n° 44, de 26 de outubro de 2010 altera a forma de prescrição de antimicrobia¬nos, exigindo que o estabelecimento dispensador retenha cópia de receita de controle especial. A Anvisa, através da RDC n° 3, 4, e 5, de 2011, também modificou as exigências relativas à im¬portação de agulhas, dentre elas as gengivais de uso odontológico, objetivando a padronização de tais produtos em obediência às Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF). Os profissionais de saúde deverão estar cientes das modificações definidas pela Anvisa, a fim de garantir o maior controle na prescrição e venda de medicamentos, assim como do controle que essa Agência promove diante dos produtos de uso em saúde.

The objective of this study is to describe and discuss the limitations rules designed by Anvisa,as their regulatory activities. The dentists are able to prescribe medicines and they should be aware of the Legal Rules enabling the rational use of drugs. The Law number 44, October 26, 2010, considering the rule for antimicrobial prescription, requires the drugstore/pharmacy to dispense and to retain a copy of special control prescriptions. The Anvisa also changed the re¬quirements for needles importation, including the needles for dental use, aiming the standardi¬zation of such products in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices. Health professionals should be aware of the changes to ensure greater control in prescribing medicines, as well as the control that this agency promotes considering the products used in Health.

Documentos médicos / Medical documents

O artigo ressalta os aspectos jurídicos dos documentos médicos, privilegiando a sua vocação como meios de prova em processos judiciais. Procurase trazer uma abordagem prática da questão dos documentos médicos, com vistas ao exercício profissional cotidiano e sem que se pretenda minimizar a importância da investigação aprofundada da matéria, e muito menos desvalorizar a finalidade principal desses documentos que decorre da sua natureza médica. Os principais instrumentos que retratam os cuidados prestados ao paciente, quais sejam Prontuário Médico, Termo de Consentimento Informado, Atestados e Receituário, são comentados sob o enfoque legal, buscando-se apontar quais características lhe conferem legitimidade jurídica

This article emphasizes the legal aspects of medical documents, giving priority to their potential use as evidence in legal proceedings. It seeks to provide a practical approach to the issue of medical documents, which is addressed to everyday professional practice but has no intention of minimizing the importance of a thorough investigation of the matter, and much less underestimating the main purpose of these documents arising from its medical nature. The main instruments that reflect the care delivered to the patient, namely, Medical Chart, Informed Consent Form, Certificates and Prescriptions, are discussed under the legal point of view, aiming to point out which features grant them legal legitimacy

Antimicrobial stewardship in institutions and office practices.

Medically inappropriate, ineffective and economically inefficient use of antimicrobials is commonly observed in the health care units throughout the world especially in the developing countries. Antimicrobial stewardship programs attempt to balance the demand for these life-saving drugs with the need to preserve their future efficacy. A comprehensive evidence-based stewardship program should include elements chosen from the recommendations based on local antimicrobials use and resistance problems and on available resources that may differ, depending on the size of the institution or clinical setting. For success of antibiotic stewardship it is essential to increase awareness amongst medical professionals. Discipline in antimicrobial prescribing is most vital in clinical settings. A careful assessment of the benefits of prescribing against the risk of non-prescribing of antibiotics should be considered. It should be an endeavor of every physician to justify antibiotic prescription in case of empirical use. Integration of advanced information technology into antimicrobial stewardship programs holds the potential to both reduce antimicrobial overuse and improve outcomes.