Background: Oxygen is a commonly used drug in modern medical
care. It has biochemical actions, safe dosage ranges, adverse physiologic
effects and can be toxic at high doses and prolonged use. As a drug, it needs a
formal prescription prior to administration. The prescription needs to meet
certain basic minimums for appropriateness and safety. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the standards of
prescriptions for oxygen therapy amongst admitted medical patients at the Dr.
George Mukhari Academic Hospital. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of 159 acutely ill
medical admissions who received supplemental oxygen. The medication charts of
patients on oxygen were audited; with regards to the availability and/or
adequacy of the prescription for oxygen. Results: Of the one hundred and fifty nine patients on
oxygen only 43 (27%) had an actual prescription for oxygen written. The target
oxygen saturation was specified in 19 (44%) cases. The device for oxygen
delivery was specified in 21 (49%) patients and just over half of the patients
(56%) had flow rates indicated on their charts. Conclusion: The practice
of oxygen administration in our medical wards was sub-optimal. The audit
highlights the need for education and training in acute oxygen therapy.
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