Investigating Prescription Patterns, General Medicine, and Rational Drug Use in Orthopedic Outpatient Care

Periodic evaluation of drug utilization is essential to enhance therapeutic effectiveness, minimize adverse effects, and ensure rational, cost-effective medical care. This study aimed to analyze prescribing patterns in the Orthopaedic Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital, focusing on patient demographics, prescription characteristics, commonly prescribed drug categories, and identifying deficiencies in prescribing practices. A total of 130 prescriptions were reviewed, revealing an average of 3.05 drugs per prescription, exceeding WHO’s recommended limit and highlighting a concerning rate of polypharmacy (49.04%). The study also found that only 28.46% of drugs were prescribed by generic names, reflecting low adherence to cost-saving practices. Anti-ulcer drugs were the most frequently prescribed category (30.88%), often exceeding NSAID prescriptions, indicating possible overuse of gastro protective agents. Common documentation issues included missing doctor signatures (90.00%) and incomplete follow-up instructions (74.62%). These findings underscore the need for stricter adherence to WHO guidelines, increased use of generic drugs, and improved documentation practices. Interventions in these areas could significantly improve patient safety, reduce treatment costs, and enhance the quality of care in orthopaedic settings.