Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes resulting in Primary Care Emergency visits

Objective: Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes in Primary Care Emergency visits in a rural environment, and to determine their preventability and severity. Design: Descriptive study with an analytical component. Site: Primary Care Emergency Service (SUAP), Mu la. Murcia. Patients: The study consisted of 330 patients over a 33 week period. Method: Number and type of Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes: Pharmacist through the data, a validated questionnaire and medical history, assessing whether there was a relationship between the medications and the patient, and the reason for going to the Primary Care Emergency. In case of suspicion of Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes the patient is reassessed by the doctor, and the Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes confirmed or not identified. Results: Of the 330 patients, 317 were evaluable. The mean age of patients was 39.63 years and 51.42% were women. The mean number of drugs used was 1.38, and 26.50% (95% CI, 21.94%-31.62%) patients were detected with Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes as a cause of visiting the Primary Care Emergency. 53.57% of the detected Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes detected as regards efficacy was 53.75%, 40.48% as regards need. More than three-quarters (77.41%; 95% CI, 67.35% -85.01%) of emergency visits caused by Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes were avoidable. In terms of severity, 92.86% of the Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes were mild. Conclusions: One in four Mu la SUAP visits are due to a Pharmacotherapy negative outcomes, and 77.41% of them are preventable. (C) 2010 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.