title: Adverse-drug-reaction related admissions to a hospital in Scotland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To apply established methods to identify ADR-related admissions and to determine the proportion which was preventable and which were caused by non-prescription medicines (NPMs).
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, observational study screened all acute hospital admissions (n = 1,101) by ward pharmacists over a 2-week period. Suspected ADR-related admissions were reported to the researcher and established criteria were used to evaluate probability, causality and preventability of the ADR-related admissions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1,101 emergency admissions which occurred during the study period, 30 were categorised as ADR-related, equating to a prevalence of 2.7% (95% CI, 1.8-3.7%). Three (9.7%) of the 30 admissions were associated with NPMs. The ADR was the dominant reason for admission in 56.7% (n = 17/30) and only 13.3% (n = 4/30) of all reported admissions were assessed as unavoidable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proportion of ADR-related admissions was lower than in previous studies in the UK. A substantial proportion of ADRs was associated with NPMs, highlighting the need for greater awareness amongst patients, prescribers and other health care professionals regarding possible serious adverse effects caused by these medicines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hopf
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D015995:Prevalence; D024382:Professional Role; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012606:Scotland
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs