Evaluation of Drug-Related Problems Identified and Pharmaceutical Interventions in the Wards of a Maternity Hospital

Aim: The study aims to identify the profile of Drug-Related Problems (DRP) and pharmaceutical interventions in a Maternity Hospital.

Method: The research was conducted in a Maternity Hospital in Santa Cruz (RN) and adopted a retrospective observational approach. Secondary data were collected from patients hospitalized in wards with clinical pharmacy services between January, 2021 and December, 2021. The analysis included the identification of DRPs, recording of non-compliance rates and evaluation pharmaceutical interventions conducted.

Results: 8.355 prescriptions were confirmed and a total of 38.048 medications prescribed in 2021. Prescription error rates by sector were 15.8% in Women's Assistance Unit (WAU), 10.5% in pediatrics and 3.7% in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 359 pharmaceutical interventions were carried out, 14.4% were in the WAU, 24.2% in pediatrics and 61.4% in the NICU. The most frequent WAU DRPs included infusion time (43.9%), speed (23.8%) and dilution (17.3%). In pediatrics, they were infusion time (45.3%), dose (20.1%) and interval (15.2%). Finally, those from the NICU included infusion time (39.4%), dose (25.3%) and dosage (19.9%). Accessibility rates for interventions were 77% in Unaccompanied Asylum- Seeking Minors (UASM), 83% in pediatrics and 77% in the NICU.

Conclusion: Our study indicates the critical role of clinical pharmacists and multidisciplinary collaboration in enhancing patient safety. The NICU's lower error rates highlight the benefits of an integrated team, while the WAU reveals the need for better professional interaction to reduce errors and improve intervention acceptance. Implementing dedicated clinical pharmacists and effective multidisciplinary practices across all sectors is important for improving patient care quality and safety.