ObjectiveTo demonstrate economic impact of pharmaceutical evaluation in detection and prevention of errors in antineoplastic prescriptions.MethodsThis was an observational and retrospective study performed in a cancer hospital. From July to August 2016 pharmacists checked prescriptions of antineoplastic and adjuvant drugs. Drug-related problems observed were classified and analyzed concerning drug, pharmaceutical intervention, acceptability and characteristic of the error. In case of problem related to dose, we calculated a deviation percentage related with correct dose and value spent or saved. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with frequency and percentage.ResultsA total of 6,104 prescriptions and 12,128 medications were evaluated. Drug-related problems were identified in 274 (4.5%) prescriptions. Most of them was due to lack of information (n=117; 36.1%). Problems associated with dose accounted for 32.1% (n=98) of the total. In 13 cases (13.3%) ranging of prescribed dose was 50% greater than the correct dose. Intercepted drug-related problems provided savings of R$54.081,01 and expenses of R$20.863,36, therefore resulting in a positive balance of R$33.217,65. Each intervention promoted saving of R$126,78 with an acceptance rate of 98%. Main pharmaceutical interventions were information inclusion (n=117; 36.1%) and dose change (n=97; 29.9%). All errors were classified as error with no harm.ConclusionSimple actions such as prescription checking are able to identify and prevent drug-related problems, avoid financial losses and add immeasurable value to patient safety.
INTRODUCTION: Implementation of health technology assessment centers (NATS) in hospitals is a recent practice. By adopting a model in which a single professional performs the data collection in order to inform the decision makers (mini-ATS), NATS was implemented in January of 2019, and in June of the same year the first survey of performed activities was realized. METHODS: The activity analysis was carried out by using records and department quality indicators (total number of received propositions/month; incorporated technologies/month; discontinued technologies/month). The average time to conclude propositions from the first semester of activities and number of antineoplastic drugs incorporation requests were also evaluated.
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