Study On Outpatient Drug Use Practices In Suburbs Hospitals In Luhe

Objective:The aim of this study was to describe the current drug use practices in urban and rural hospitals in Jiangsu Province, and gather baseline data, which can serve as a basis for designing an appropriate intervention to improve the drug use profile, and ensure the rational use of drugs(RUD) policies are effective and sustainable.Methods:A retrospective study of outpatient prescriptions during the period of July 2009 to June 2010 15th of each month was conducted. A total of 4 hospitals (2urban and 2 township hospitals)were selected through stratified sampling in which 60 outpatient encounters per facility were observed and the information was collected on a specifically designed form. Patient care indicators were obtained through progressive study of internal department outpatients. Analyses were carried out using Excel 2000 and SPSS11.0 software package.Results:The average number of drugs Per encounter in urban and rural hospitals was 2.47 and 3.04, respectively.86.21% and 93.77% of drugs were prescribed by generic name in urban and rural hospitals, respectively. Percentage of encounters with an antibiotic prescribed in urban and rural hospitals was 35.15% and 61.33%, respectively. Percentage of encounters with an injection prescribed in urban and rural hospitals was35.48% and 45.93%, respectively. Percentage of drugs prescribed from essential drugs list or formulary in urban and rural hospitals was 81.64% and 87.70%, respectively. The average drug cost per encounter in urban hospitals was 142.31, respectively. The average drug cost per encounter in rural hospitals was 47.68, respectively. Average consulting time and dispensing time in urban and rural hospitals was 56.59 min,14.2s and 7.09 min,25.6s. Percentage of drug adequately labeled was 97.8% and 93.6%. Patients' correct knowledge of drug usage was 93.8% and 84.5%, respectively. Percentage of satisfaction of patients in urban and rural hospitals was 82.9%and 76.3%.Conclusion:The survey suggests the existence of irrational drug use on both the supply (Provider) and demand (patient) sides in Jiangsu province. Need further to strengthen the intervention for enhancing rational drug use's level.