A description of a successful computerized adverse drug reaction tracking program.
The University of Illinois Hospital Drug Information Center recently began using a database software program (File Express, Version 4.0, Redmond, WA) for storing and retrieval of reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Important features of the software program include the capability of easily generating reports, rapid sorting of data, large storage capability, minimal startup cost, and a user friendly menu system. The number of reported ADRs increased from 24 in 1987 to 124 in 1988 due, in part, to increased educational efforts, revision of the ADR reporting form, and cooperation from the medical records department in identifying reported ADRs during chart review. Overall, pharmacists were found to report most of the ADRs. Retrospective analysis of the ADR reports may help identify trends in ADRs based on the drug and route of administration. A decrease in the incidence of some ADRs and, thus, improved patient care, may result as the information obtained from the computer-based ADR reporting system is shared among healthcare professionals.
Maliekal
J
J
University of Illinois Hospital Pharmacy, Chicago 60612.
Thornton
J
J
D004346:Drug Information Services; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D012984:Software