Adverse Drug Events in Hospitalized Cardiac Patients

Little information is available concerning adverse drug events (ADEs) in cardiac patients. Therefore, the investigators report the results of cardiac patients in an ADE surveillance program, with the intent of reducing the frequency of future events. All reported adverse drug reactions and medicatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of cardiology 2007-11, Vol.100 (9), p.1465-1469
Main Authors: Fanikos, John, RPh, MBA, Cina, Jennifer L., PharmD, Baroletti, Steven, PharmD, MBA, Fiumara, Karen, PharmD, Matta, Lina, PharmD, Goldhaber, Samuel Z., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems
Anticoagulants - adverse effects
Biological and medical sciences
Boston
Cardiology
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular Agents - adverse effects
Cardiovascular disease
Drug dosages
Drug Utilization Review
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Heart
Heart Diseases - drug therapy
Hospitalization
Hospitals, University - standards
Hospitals, University - statistics & numerical data
Hospitals, Urban - standards
Hospitals, Urban - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Medical sciences
Medication Errors - statistics & numerical data
Nursing Staff, Hospital - supply & distribution
Personnel Staffing and Scheduling
Pharmacology
Time Factors
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Description
Summary:Little information is available concerning adverse drug events (ADEs) in cardiac patients. Therefore, the investigators report the results of cardiac patients in an ADE surveillance program, with the intent of reducing the frequency of future events. All reported adverse drug reactions and medication errors in cardiac patients over a 5-year period at Brigham and Women’s Hospital were reviewed. There were 547 ADEs in cardiac patients, a rate of 1.9 events for every 100 patient admissions. Preventable ADEs most often occurred during medication administration (34.2%), with wrong rate or frequency of medication administration the most widespread event. Cardiovascular agents (29.8%), anticoagulants (28.5%), and antimicrobial agents (10.8%) were the most common drug classes associated with ADEs. Injury or prolonged hospitalization occurred in 5.3% of patients. ADEs occurred most frequently on the admission day, on weekdays, and in the early morning hours. Peak frequencies of ADEs coincided with nursing shift changes. In conclusion, ADEs occur often in hospitalized cardiac patients and affect 2 of every 100 patient admissions. Given the high percentage of ADEs associated with drug administration, more resources should be directed at this step of medication use. Focusing interventions around nursing shift changes may further enhance preventive strategies.
ISSN:0002-9149
1879-1913
DOI:10.1016/j.amjcard.2007.06.041