Evaluation of adverse drug events in the hospital context

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of adverse events in a public cardiology hospital, located in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro and classify adverse events in relation to the severity of the damage. This is an investigation based on retrospective review of medical records. We analyzed a random sample of 112 medical records of patients hospitalized from December 2007 to February 2008. Nurse reviewers selected records with potential adverse drug events and a group of evaluators confirmed the occurrence of adverse events and classified according to the damage. The incidence of adverse drug events was 14.3%. In 31.2% of cases in which the event was detected, intervention was needed to support life. The detection of adverse events in hospitals enables to know failures medication as well as implement strategies to reduce them.

Medication errors; Quality of health care; Safety management; Nursing