PRESCRIPTION PATTERN STUDY OF DRUGS GIVEN TO PATIENTS ADMITTED IN ORTHOPEDIC WARDS OF A RURAL MEDICAL COLLEGE, A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Nagla A. and Wadagbalkar P.*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Rational drug therapy is an important aspect of drug treatment which if properly implemented will save the resources of India and unnecessary adverse reaction to patients. Prescription pattern study or audit in an important way to know & implement Rational drug therapy. Aims and objectives: To assess and evaluate the prescription pattern of drugs given to patients admitted in orthopedic department and to know rationality of drugs prescribed. Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was planned on approximately 221 patients admitted in indoor wards of the orthopedic department. Patient’s records were obtained from medical record section with the help of undergraduate students for 3 months starting from1st october till december 2012 and analyzed for different drugs given in doses, duration etc. The data was analysed considering WHO drug prescription parameters and results were analyzed statistically. Results: Of the 224 patients, 135(60.2%) were male and 89(39%) were female. Most common cause of admission to orthopedic ward was fractures of long bones(75%). The most common age group was 20-40 years of age (61%). Patients had 5.1 drugs given per prescription. Most common drug to be prescribed was Analgesics (30.8%) followed by antibiotics (26.3%). Most common Analgesic were Nonopiod (NSAID)(82.3%) followed by opiod Tramodol (17.6%). Most common NSAID was diclofenac sodium(71%) followed by paracetomol(34.6%). Of the total Patients 17.3% received gastric ulcer preventive omeprazole (81.3%) followed by ranitidine, h2 blocker (18.6%). Most common parenteral antibiotic was Ceftrioxone plus sulbactum (83.3%). Amikacin was give additionally in 10%. Most common oral antibiotic was cefuroxime 80.7% followed by amoxicillin plus clavvulonic acid (19.2%). Muscle relaxants were given in 3.6%, Thiocolchide (64.2%), Pregbalin (35.7%). Use of drugs by generic name was only (12%). Most of the drugs were from essential drug list (78%). Most common route for was injections (48.6%) followed by oral (42%). Percentage of drugs prescribed by FDC 25%. Conclusion: Most commonly patients admitted in orthopedic ward receive non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics by trade names. Genreic use of the drugs should be promoted. Polypharmacy should be reduced. Injection route should be less than 10%. Pharmacology department Faculties and residents should have frequent talks on daily basis, should organize frequently CME/workshop on rational use of drugs for orthopedic residents so as to serve the best interest of the patients

Keywords: rational, irrational, antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory, NSAIDS, proton pump inhibitors, antacids, arthritis, fractures, WHO prescription indicators.