[Drug interactions in clinical practice. A pilot project for quality assurance in prescribing].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the project was to document and evaluate the safety of combinations of drugs prescribed during hospitalization, producing a method of quality assurance assessment.


METHODS
The medications of 396 patients already taken at home as well as the drugs given in the hospital during an acute illness were analyzed. Potential drug interactions were detected using a computerized drug-interaction checking system i.e. Micromedex CD-ROM database DRUG-REAX. This program differentiates between contraindicated, major, moderate or minor interactions.


RESULTS
No contraindicated combinations of medications were found but in 265 instances (66,9%) potentially relevant ( major or moderate) combinations could be detected. There was a correlation between potentially dangerous drug combinations and the number of coadministered drugs. Despite the detection of a large number of potentially troublesome combinations, no significant clinical problems were observed over at least three days of observation.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of potentially relevant drug interactions represents a severe problem in drug prescribing.
Geppert
U
U
Landesklinik für Dermatologie, Landeskliniken Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Beindl
W
W
Hawranek
T
T
Hintner
H
H
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000075202:Contraindications; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors
D003879:Dermatologic Agents