Prescription auditing using the WHO drug prescribing indicators in a tertiary care hospital: An observational retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Background: Prescription auditing is an important tool to assess and evaluate the drug utilization pattern and rational use of medicines. A successful prescription audit is crucial for health care workers, patients, and the community to ensure that their patients receive the best possible treatment. The purpose of drug audit is to improve patients care and to avoid potential fatal errors. Aim and Objectives: This study has been conducted to evaluate and analyze existing prescription errors in tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan and their magnitude. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out in Jhalawar Medical College, a tertiary care hospital in Rajasthan. Around 1000 prescriptions were collected randomly from medical college pharmacies. Outpatient prescriptions from all the major clinical departments available at hospital pharmacies were analyzed using the WHO prescribing indicators. Information regarding the patient, doctor, drug, and legibility of the prescription were obtained. Results: In our study, we found that most common age group mentioning in prescriptions were 18� years (55.7%), most common gender are males (60.2%). Generic names were prescribed in all prescriptions (100%). Patient information was mentioned in 73.2% prescriptions. Warning signs were not mentioned in any prescription whereas 10.2% prescription mentioned medicines name in capital letter. Average number of medicines per prescription was 4.1. Prescription with drugs prescribed from essential drug list was 88%. Conclusions: In our study, we found many insufficiencies, lack of clarity and important instructions in different parts of prescriptions. There is immediate requirement of improvement in prescribing habits of doctors. Proper steps such as workshops, practical training, and continuing medical education should be needed to guide the physicians to promote rational prescription.