Effects of pharmacy resident led education on resident physician prescribing habits associated with stress ulcer prophylaxis in non-intensive care unit patients (Reprinted from Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Residents JHPR, vol 2, issue 2, 2013)

Objective. Overutilization of stress ulcer prophylaxis in both critically and noncritically ill patients poses significant health risks and increases healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of education for appropriate stress ulcer prophylaxis prescribing by Family Medicine Resident Physicians. Methods. The study evaluated the SUP prescribing and continuation or discontinuation of acid suppressive therapy upon discharge. Patients admitted to the Family Medicine Residency team at Washington Regional Medical Center were retrospectively assessed from September through November 2011. In January 2012, an educational seminar describing appropriate stress ulcer prophylaxis indications, the associated risks and costs of acid suppressive therapy, and initial findings was provided. After the educational intervention, patients admitted to the Family Medicine Residency team were retrospectively followed from February through April 2012 to assess the impact of the educational intervention. Results. Post education analysis demonstrated a decrease in inappropriate stress ulcer prophylaxis prescribing from 55.5% to 30.5% (p < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between the pre-intervention (5.5%) and post-intervention (8.3%) groups in regards to patients discharged on AST inappropriately (p = 0.627). Conclusion. Pharmacist led educational sessions improved appropriateness of stress ulcer prophylaxis prescribing by Family Practice Resident Physicians, leading to patient risk avoidance and cost savings..