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. 2022 Nov 24:13:993158.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.993158. eCollection 2022.

Drug-related problems in patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic

J Barceló-Vidal  1   2 , D Echeverría-Esnal  1   2 , N Carballo  1 , M De Antonio-Cuscó  1 , X Fernández-Sala  1   2 , M E Navarrete-Rouco  1 , E Colominas-González  1 , S Luque  1 , M Fuster-Esteva  3 , L Domingo  2   4 , M Sala  2   4 , X Duran  5 , S Grau  1   2   3 , O Ferrández  1   2
Affiliations

Drug-related problems in patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic

J Barceló-Vidal et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Drug-related problems (DRP) are events or circumstances in which drug therapy does or could interfere with desired health outcomes. In December 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, appeared. Little knowledge about this type of infection resulted in the administration of various drugs with limited use in other pathologies. Evidence about DRP in patients with COVID-19 is lacking. Objective: The aim of the present study is to describe identified cases of DRP and those drugs involved in the first wave of patients with COVID-19, and evaluate associated risk factors. Material and methods: Observational, retrospective study performed in a tertiary university hospital between 14th March 2020 and 31 May 2020 (corresponding to the first COVID-19 wave). We recruited patients admitted during the study period. Exclusion criteria included age < 18 years; admission to critically ill units; and care received either in the emergency room, at-home hospitalization or a healthcare center. Results: A total of 817 patients were included. The mean age was 62.5 years (SD 16.4) (range 18-97), and 453 (55.4%) were male. A total of 516 DRP were detected. Among the patients, 271 (33.2%) presented at least one DRP. The mean DRP per patient with an identified case was 1.9. The prevailing DRPs among those observed were: incorrect dosage (over or underdosage) in 145 patients (28.2%); wrong drug combination in 131 (25.5%); prescriptions not in adherence to the then COVID-19 treatment protocol in 73 (14.1%); prescription errors due to the wrong use of the computerized physician order entry in 47 (9.2%); and incorrect dosage due to renal function in 36 (7%). The logistic regression analysis showed that patients who received only prescriptions of antibacterials for systemic use (J01 ATC group) faced a higher likelihood of experiencing a DRP (OR 2.408 (1.071-5.411), p = 0.033). Conclusion: We identified several factors associated with an increased risk of DRPs, similar to those reported in other pre-pandemic studies, including a prolonged length of stay, higher number of prescribed drugs and antimicrobial administration. The relevance of pharmacists and tools like pharmacy warning systems can help prevent, identify and resolve DRP efficiently.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antiinfective agents; drug medication safety; drug-related problem (DRP); medication error; medication related problem; pharmaceutical care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Study profile.
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