Drug-related problem frequency in patients who visited the emergency department in a regional hospital / Frecuencia de problemas relacionados con los medicamentos en pacientes que visitaron el servicio de urgencia de un hospital regional

The aim of this study was evaluate the frequency of the drug-related problems (DRP) in patients visiting the emergency department (ED) of the Nossa Senhora da Concei o Hospital (HNSC) (Tubar o, SC, Brazil). Method: A prospective study was conducted in the ED of HNSC, from July 15 to august 15, 2003. DRPs were identified using the Second Consensus of Granada. Results: A total of 64 patients were studied, from these, 9 patients were excluded. Of the 55 patients, the frequency of emergency service visits associated with DRP was determined to be 38,2% (n=21). The number of DRP was determined to be 22. The most frequently occurring DRP was: DRP 1 (n= 8; 36,4%), DRP 4 (n= 5; 22,7%) and DRP 5 (n= 4; 18,2%). 72,7% of the DRP cases were considered preventable. 11 (52,4%) of the 21 patients who presented DRP were hospitalized, the mean length of stay was 6,7 days ± EP 1,15 (median 6). Conclusions: The drug-related morbidity results in the ED service indicate that policies and services should be developed to prevent and reduce this public health problem.