title: Patient risk factors for developing a drug-related problem in a cardiology ward.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because of the high incidence of drug-related problems (DRPs) among hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases and their potential impact on morbidity and mortality, it is important to identify the most susceptible patients, who therefore require closer monitoring of drug therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the profile of patients at higher risk of developing at least one DRP during hospitalization in a cardiology ward.
  
  
  METHODS
  We consecutively included all patients hospitalized in the cardiology ward of a teaching hospital in 2009. DRPs were identified through a computerized warning system designed by the pharmacy department and integrated into the electronic medical record.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 964 admissions were included, and at least one DRP was detected in 29.8%. The variables associated with a higher risk of these events were polypharmacy (odds ratio [OR]=1.228; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.153-1.308), female sex (OR=1.496; 95% CI=1.026-2.180), and first admission (OR=1.494; 95% CI=1.005-2.221).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monitoring patients through a computerized warning system allowed the detection of at least one DRP in one-third of the patients. Knowledge of the risk factors for developing these problems in patients admitted to hospital for cardiovascular problems helps in identifying the most susceptible patients.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Olatz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Urbina
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ferrández
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sònia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luque
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain ; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sergi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mojal
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pellicer
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Evaluation, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riu
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salas
authors.affiliation: Heart Failure Unit, Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Comin-Colet
keywords: cardiovascular diseases; clinical pharmacist; computerized provider order entry; drug therapy monitoring; patient safety; pharmacy warning system