Drug utilization study in a neonatal intensive care unit of a government tertiary care hospital in Western Maharashtra

Background: Presently drug utilization studies (DUS) are in an evolving era. Current literature search has shown paucity of epidemiological studies in the field of paediatric pharmacology. Hence the present study was designed to assess the drug utilization pattern in neonatal intensive care unit to improvise the current prescription practices, if required and to determine areas in neonatal pharmacology in need of further research.Methods: A prospective, observational study spanned for a period of one year from January 2015 to December 2015 was conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Government teaching tertiary care hospital, Maharashtra. Data of prescribed drugs was collected. WHO prescribing indicators were used for evaluating DUS. Assessment of exposure rates of different class of drugs in different gestational age groups was done. Data were analysed using descriptive studies.Results: Data of 205 neonates, showed male preponderance (53.17%) over female neonates (46.83%). With regard to the gestational age, 47.31% were term, 52.68% preterm. Average number of drugs per encounter was 6.69. 76.29% drugs were prescribed by generic name and 69.80 % drugs were from IAP list of essential medicines for children. Mean drug use was 6.23±3.34 per patient. Most common class of drug to which neonates were exposed was antibiotics (96.10%) and amikacin topped the list with exposure rate of 91.22%.Conclusions: The present study substantiates the need for implementation of institutional antibiotic policies, awareness regarding IAP list of essential drugs for children, prescription by generic name and rational drug use.

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DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT RURAL TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i4.16111 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 102 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mangal Kishanrao Choure ◽

Rakesh Ramratan Jadhav ◽

Sudhir Laxmanrao Padwal

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Drug Utilization ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Drug Utilization Study

Objectives: To study the trends of drug utilization pattern in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at rural tertiary care hospital using the World HealthOrganization core indicators.Methods: The study was cross-sectional, observational study in NICU of Government Medical College, Ambajogai, Maharashtra. Data were collected byscrutinizing the prescriptions written by pediatricians in NICU. The consent of parents of neonate was obtained for inclusion in the study. Parameterssuch as age, gender, birth weight, current illness, congenital anomalies, gestational age at birth, and drugs prescription analyzed.Results: A total 220 prescription were scrutinized. Out of 220 neonates, 53.6% was males and 46.3% females. The total number of drugs prescribedwas 808 and the average number of drugs per prescription was 3.6. The most frequently prescribed therapeutic class of drugs antimicrobial agents(60.64%) followed by vitamin K (26.7%) and aminophylline (9.4%). The maximum number (50%) of neonate born with birth weight <2.5. Themaximum number (42%) of neonate was born at 34-36 weeks of gestation. Preterm low birth weight was the most common observed reason foradmission to NICU. The drugs are prescribed by branded name outnumbered than generic name.Conclusion: This study highlights the problem of overprescribing of antibiotics, inadequate labeling and a trend toward polypharmacy.Keywords: Drug utilization study, Neonatal intensive care unit, Prescription, Neonate.

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Drug utilization pattern in a neonatal intensive care unit at tertiary care hospital attached to a medical college in Southern Karnataka, India

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20190975 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 978

Author(s):

Keerthi Budnoor Jayaram ◽

Usha D. ◽

Prem Bhushal

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Drug Utilization ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Utilization Pattern

Background: Neonates and in particular preterm neonates belongs to the most vulnerable population. A neonatal intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a highly specialized unit that provides high quality skilled care to critically ill new newborn, premature or low birth weight babies. Apart from facilities for continuous clinical and biochemical monitoring, NICU management involves the use of wide range of medications. Irrational prescription of drug is common in clinical practice, important reason being lack of knowledge about drug prescription. Developing countries have limited funds available for health care and drugs so it becomes very important to prescribe drugs rationally. The present study was done to find out the drug utilization pattern and improve the rational use which aids in the improvement of neonatal care. Methods: The study was retrospective study in NICU of tertiary care hospital attached to MIMS, Mandya for a duration of 6 months. Data extraction sheet were used to collect the information regarding demographic details, maternal and delivery details, indication for admission, final diagnosis and medications administered. Data collected were evaluated for the category of prescribed, based on World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Committee (WHO classification system and were analyzed using SPSS. WHO drug utilization core indicators were also evaluated.Results: Among 400 neonates admitted in NICU during the study period, 53.7% were males and 46.2% were females. There were 29.7% preterm born neonates. The maximum number of neonates were admitted in early neonatal period (87.25%). Neonatal sepsis (37.9%) and Birth asphyxia (11.6%) were the most common indications for admission. The total number of drugs prescribed was 1428 and the average number of drugs per neonate was 3.57. Preterm (<37weeks) and low birth weight (<2.5Kg) were exposed to significantly higher number of drugs. The most frequently prescribed therapeutic class of drugs was anti-infectives (60.36%), followed by drugs of central nervous system (7. 84%). Among the anti-infectives, the most commonly prescribed drugs were Ampicillin (59%), followed by gentamycin (42.5%). High end antibiotics like carbapenems, colistin’s and linezolid were used in less than 5% of cases.Conclusions: Drug use in neonates should be minimal and focus on the importance of therapeutic treatment guidelines establishment in hospital to control the over usage of antibiotics.

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