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. 2016 Jun;28(2):147-53.
doi: 10.5935/0103-507X.20160029.

Drug incompatibilities in the adult intensive care unit of a university hospital

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Naiane Roveda Marsilio  1 , Daiandy da Silva  2 , Denise Bueno  3
Affiliations

Drug incompatibilities in the adult intensive care unit of a university hospital

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Naiane Roveda Marsilio et al. Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2016 Jun.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objectives: This study sought to identify the physical and chemical incompatibilities among the drugs administered intravenously to patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit. We also aimed to establish pharmaceutical guidelines for administering incompatible drugs.

Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective, and quantitative study was conducted from July to September 2015. Drug incompatibilities were identified based on an analysis of the patient prescriptions available in the hospital online management system. A pharmaceutical intervention was performed using the guidelines on the preparation and administration of incompatible drugs. Adherence to those guidelines was subsequently assessed among the nursing staff.

Results: A total of 100 prescriptions were analyzed; 68 were incompatible with the intravenous drugs prescribed. A total of 271 drug incompatibilities were found, averaging 4.0 ± 3.3 incompatibilities per prescription. The most commonly found drug incompatibilities were between midazolam and hydrocortisone (8.9%), between cefepime and midazolam (5.2%), and between hydrocortisone and vancomycin (5.2%). The drugs most commonly involved in incompatibilities were midazolam, hydrocortisone, and vancomycin. The most common incompatibilities occurred when a drug was administered via continuous infusion and another was administered intermittently (50%). Of the 68 prescriptions that led to pharmaceutical guidelines, 45 (66.2%) were fully adhered to by the nursing staff.

Conclusion: Patients under intensive care were subjected to a high rate of incompatibilities. Drug incompatibilities can be identified and eliminated by the pharmacist on the multidisciplinary team, thereby reducing undesirable effects among patients.

Objetivos: Identificar as incompatibilidades físico-químicas entre medicamentos administrados por via intravenosa em pacientes internados em um centro de tratamento intensivo adulto, bem como realizar orientações farmacêuticas para a administração de medicamentos incompatíveis.

Métodos: Estudo transversal, prospectivo, de caráter quantitativo, realizado no período de julho a setembro de 2015. As incompatibilidades foram identificadas a partir da análise das prescrições dos pacientes disponíveis no sistema on-line do hospital. Foi realizada uma intervenção farmacêutica por meio de orientações quanto à preparação e à administração dos medicamentos incompatíveis. Após, verificou-se a adesão dessas orientações por parte da equipe da enfermagem.

Resultados: Foram analisadas 100 prescrições; destas, 68 apresentaram incompatibilidade entre os medicamentos intravenosos prescritos. Foram encontradas 271 incompatibilidades, com média de 4,0 ± 3,3 incompatibilidades por prescrição. As incompatibilidades mais frequentes foram entre midazolam e hidrocortisona (8,9%), cefepime e midazolam (5,2%) e hidrocortisona e vancomicina (5,2%). Os medicamentos mais envolvidos em incompatibilidades foram o midazolam, a hidrocortisona e a vancomicina. As incompatibilidades foram mais frequentes entre um medicamento administrado por infusão contínua com outro de forma intermitente (50%). Das 68 prescrições que geraram orientação farmacêutica, 45 (66,2%) foram totalmente realizadas pela equipe de enfermagem.

Conclusão: Os pacientes em cuidados intensivos estiveram sujeitos a uma elevada ocorrência de incompatibilidades. As incompatibilidades medicamentosas podem ser identificadas e evitadas com a presença do farmacêutico na equipe multidisciplinar, diminuindo a ocorrência de efeitos indesejáveis ao paciente.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Frequency of drugs most commonly involved in the incompatibilities identified within the prescriptions analyzed.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Type of intravenous drug administration involved in incompatibilities.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Substances