Pharmaceutical care in Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in an Emergency Care Unit: a pharmacotherapeutic and cost-effective approach

Abstract

Objective: To describe the importance of the pharmaceutical clinical service in redirecting the use of omeprazole for the prevention of stress ulcers in patients hospitalized in an emergency care unit. Methods: Descriptive study for the analysis of medical prescriptions with reference to the use of the drug omeprazole, carried out in an Emergency Care Unit, located in the state of Pernambuco, with patients hospitalized in the observation wards of this unit. The medical records of the patients were analyzed, where the need to use omeprazole was verified based on the presence or absence of conditions that justified its employability, and pharmaceutical interventions and corrections were carried out with the medical team, when necessary. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Project approved by the Ethics and Research Committee with human beings (CAAE 29594620.6.30015201) of the Federal University of Pernambuco. Results: Fifty-four patients with a mean age of 41±11 years, predominantly male, participated in the study. 92% of these patients required pharmaceutical interventions related to omeprazole and stress ulcer prophylaxis. Of the interventions performed, about 78% were attended, which resulted not only in the therapeutic optimization of patients, but also in a pharmacoeconomy that reverberated throughout the unit, favoring a cost reduction of US$ 3490,65. The amount saved was analyzed by comparing unit expenditures with omeprazole over a period of 12 months, 6 without pharmaceutical intervention, 6 with therapeutic optimization. Conclusion: The pharmacist’s role in patient care configures better medication practices and significant reductions in hospital costs.