Comparison of programs for preventing drug-nutrient interactions in hospitalized patients.
Three programs with different levels of pharmacist intervention designed to prevent drug-nutrient interactions (DNIs) were studied. Six drugs were selected for the study on the basis of their potential for involvement in significant DNIs and the hospital's drug-use profile. During a two-week control phase, the existing pharmacy system, in which no patient-specific information on DNIs is provided, was assessed. During the next four weeks, patients were randomly assigned to intervention 1, placement of a brightly colored label in the medication drawer and on the cover of the nursing medication card flip-chart, or to intervention 2, placement of the labels plus a five-minute structured patient-counseling session. Occurrence of DNIs and nurses' and patients' knowledge of DNIs were assessed. A DNI was defined as potentially altered drug absorption due to inappropriate timing or administration of a drug in relation to food. The occurrence of DNIs decreased significantly under the label system (from 24% to 19%) and under the combined label-counseling system (to 16%). However, the frequency of DNIs did not differ significantly between the two intervention groups. Patients' and nurses' knowledge of DNIs improved as a result of the interventions. The frequency of DNIs decreased when labels were used to alert nurses to proper medication timing.
Gauthier
I
I
Albany College of Pharmacy, NY 12208-3492, USA.
Malone
M
M
Lesar
T S
TS
Aronovitch
S
S
D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004348:Drug Labeling; D005260:Female; D018565:Food-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000187:drug effects; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires