OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were 1) to determine the frequency of use and indications for prescription of acid-suppressive medications in hospitalized patients, and 2) to determine whether patients who are prescribed these medications for stress ulcer prophylaxis are prescribed them on hospital discharge. METHODS: The use of acid-suppressive medications (histamine-2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and barriers--specifically, famotidine, omeprazole, and sucralfate) was assessed in 226 patients admitted consecutively to a general medical nursing unit of an urban, community, teaching hospital. Chart review was undertaken to determine the type of medication used, timing of prescription, and indication for use. RESULTS: Of hospitalized patients, 54% were receiving acid-suppressive therapy. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists were used most frequently (62%). In all, 65% of prescriptions were not indicated as determined by consensus review. Among patients put on acid-suppressive therapy for ulcer prophylaxis, 55% were discharged on the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant overuse of acid-suppressive therapy in hospitalized patients. The problem of placing low-risk patients on ulcer prophylaxis unnecessarily is compounded by discharging these patients with the medication.
OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were 1) to determine the frequency of use and indications for prescription of acid-suppressive medications in hospitalized patients, and 2) to determine whether patients who are prescribed these medications for stress ulcer prophylaxis are prescribed them on hospital discharge. METHODS: The use of acid-suppressive medications (histamine-2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and barriers--specifically, famotidine, omeprazole, and sucralfate) was assessed in 226 patients admitted consecutively to a general medical nursing unit of an urban, community, teaching hospital. Chart review was undertaken to determine the type of medication used, timing of prescription, and indication for use. RESULTS: Of hospitalized patients, 54% were receiving acid-suppressive therapy. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists were used most frequently (62%). In all, 65% of prescriptions were not indicated as determined by consensus review. Among patients put on acid-suppressive therapy for ulcer prophylaxis, 55% were discharged on the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant overuse of acid-suppressive therapy in hospitalized patients. The problem of placing low-risk patients on ulcer prophylaxis unnecessarily is compounded by discharging these patients with the medication.
Authors: Jeffrey C Munson; Peter M Wahl; Gregory Daniel; Stephen E Kimmel; Sean Hennessy Journal: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Date: 2012-01-25 Impact factor: 2.890
Authors: Usha Stiefel; Agam Rao; Michael J Pultz; Robin L P Jump; David C Aron; Curtis J Donskey Journal: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Date: 2006-08-28 Impact factor: 5.191
Authors: Bisanth Thushila Batuwitage; Jeremy G C Kingham; Nia Emma Morgan; Ruth Louise Bartlett Journal: Postgrad Med J Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 2.401