Prescription audit of the outpatient department of an ophthalmic tertiary care public sector hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Prescription audit is a type of vigilance activity, which is beneficial in clinical practice in terms of reducing the burden of disease because of medication errors. The aim of the audit was to study the prescribing practices of the outpatient department of an ophthalmic tertiary care public sector hospital. The objectives were to assess the drug use pattern and to recommend suggestions, if any, to improve the prescribing practices. This was a prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted over a period of 1 month (February) to audit the ophthalmic prescriptions received at free generic pharmacy of the tertiary hospital. Data was collected using a predetermined sample size (625) and random sampling strategy. Audit of prescriptions was done and WHO drug prescription and usage indicators were analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Strata 11. Results: Out of randomly selected 625 prescriptions, patient identification details were not properly mentioned in 23% of prescriptions. Some errors were, missing name in 8 (1.28%), missing age in 68 (10.88%), and missing gender in 65 (10.4%) prescriptions. Regarding drug prescription indicators, the doses and correct strength of drug was mentioned in 7 (1.12%) prescriptions and the route of administration of drug was not written in 17 (2.72%) prescriptions. Out of the total 1543 drugs prescribed, only 134 (8.68%) drugs were prescribed in generic form. One hundred (6.48%) drugs were prescribed from the WHO Essential Drug Formulary (EDF), 115 (7.45%) drugs were prescribed from the National EDF, and a total of 129 (8.36%) drugs were prescribed in the form of fixed-drug combinations. An average of 2.47 ± 1.51 drugs were prescribed per patient. Polypharmacy was not significant as more than five drugs were prescribed in only 4% of prescriptions. Conclusions: Prescription writing errors were common which include incorrect mention of patient details, route of administration, and correct dose and strength of drugs. Awareness against polypharmacy was high. Efforts should be taken to promote the usage of generic form of drugs. Standardization of prescription writing and regular conduct of audits is the way forward.

Keywords

• drug audit
• ophthalmology drugs
• outpatient department
• prescription audit
• prescription error
• rational use of drugs