[Prescriptions of aerosol therapy. A survey of practices at the Besançon University Hospital].
OBJECTIVE
Prescriptions of aerosol sprays concomitantly with other drugs can raise problems of incompatibility.


METHODS
Medical practices in the clinical units of the Besançon University Hospital were analyzed to assess the therapeutic indications, the most frequently prescribed drugs, possible admixtures, the nature and volume of solvents used, drug protocols and type of aerosol therapy and nebulizer used. Sixty questionnaires were sent to all the units of the University Teaching Hospital of Besançon.


RESULTS
Analysis of 48 questionnaires completed by head nurses showed that 28 different drugs and 26 different admixtures were prescribed. Only 2 of the admixtures had undergone prior validation. Only 7 (26%) of the drug formulations prescribed had received marketing approval. Recognized clinical practices for the administration of aerosol therapy were not applied and the aerosol sessions were not standardized.


CONCLUSIONS
Many prescriptions are carried out without knowledge of the chemical compatibility of co-administered medicines.
Pujol
M S
MS
Pharmacie Centrale, CHU de Besançon.
Menat
C
C
Henon
T
T
Jacquet
M
M
Woronoff-Lemsi
M C
MC
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D005602:France; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000336:Aerosols; D004338:Drug Combinations