Changes in inpatient medicine prescribing during COVID-19 lockdown.
Intern Med J
; 53(6): 917-922, 2023 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2161650
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
New Zealand went into lockdown March 2020 successfully eliminating the circulation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus. During lockdown there were reduced rates of respiratory infections and hospital admission numbers were low. At the time, rumours of benefit and harm of medicines for COVID-19 were widespread in the lay and medical media.AIM:
To describe changes in inpatient prescribing in an acute general medicine service during the New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.METHODS:
Rates of prescribing of medicines during the 33 days of lockdown were compared with a 33-day control period before lockdown. Prescriptions, patients and bed days were calculated from the hospital patient administration and electronic prescribing and administration systems.RESULTS:
In the general medicine service, acute admissions were 20% lower during lockdown (from 1216 pre-lockdown to 974). There was a small decrease in the rate of prescriptions per patient (10.1 vs 10.4, P = 0.01) during lockdown, and the average length of stay was shorter (3.2 vs 3.6 days). Nebulised administration decreased by 75% (1.3% vs 5.3% of admissions) but unexpectedly there was no change in the prescribing rates of antibacterial medicines, e.g. amoxicillin (26% vs 26%). There were no changes in rates of prescribing of medicines being rumoured to potentially improve (e.g. hydroxychloroquine) or worsen (e.g. angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) COVID-19 outcomes.CONCLUSIONS:
Acute medical admissions decreased 20% during lockdown for COVID-19, with a proportional decrease in prescriptions. Reduced rates of respiratory tract infections did not lead to decreased prescribing of antibacterial medicines. Rumour-based prescribing did not eventuate.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Intern Med J
Journal subject:
Internal Medicine
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Imj.15996
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS