title: Analysis of the quality of prescriptions at a cardiovascular ward in Brazil: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the quality of prescriptions in a hospital in Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional pilot study of the quality of prescriptions of adult patients admitted at the cardiovascular ward. Data were collected with the help of a structured form developed by the researchers based on related literature, with items about medications and completeness of prescriptions. The form was divided into four categories of prescription quality indicators: prescription type, legibility and readability of handwriting, and completeness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES 100 patients participated in the study, with ages between 20 and 94 years (mean of 67.12 ± 16.6 years), We analyzed 5,030 on 496 prescriptions for 100 patients. Of 11% the handwriting was considered to be less legible and 17% considered illegible. In terms of readability, a high incidence of medications were prescribed by their brand names (89%), and 13,707 abbreviations (mean of 27.6 per prescription) were used mainly to refer to the route of administration (31%), concentration (27%), and indications for use (20%). In relation to completeness, 471 (95%) prescriptions were considered incomplete, mainly medication data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality indicators used in this study revealed a high rate of prescription problems and errors.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Social Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, (DFS/UFS), LEPFS-UFS, São Cristóvão, Aracaju, Sergipe, 49000-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Antoniolli
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Filho
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Lyra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006236:Handwriting; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D055815:Young Adult