A pharmacovigilance study on patients admitted in medical ICU Kasr-Alainy teaching hospitals

Background Pharmacovigilance is a key component of effective drug regulation systems, clinical practice, and public health programs. Medication errors (MEs), adverse drug events (ADEs) are important problems in all hospitalized populations, especially in ICU. Little is known about the prevalence of MEs and ADEs in the ICU of hospitals in Egypt. This study aimed to assess the frequency, types and consequences MEs and ADEs in the ICU of Kasr-Alainy Hospitals by prospective analysis of patient cards and medication charts. Results The study revealed, high incidence of MEs, unnecessary medication was the top prevalent type and majority of them was potentially significant. Acute kidney injury was most prevalent ADR followed by liver impairment, hypotension, bleeding, and heparin induced thrombocytopenia. Majority of patients experienced clinically relevant adverse drug–drug interactions. Top classes of drugs with highest incidence of ADEs included: antimicrobials, cardiovascular, anti-ischemic, agents. Among different groups of the study the main therapeutic category showed higher incidence of ADEs. There was positive correlation between ADRs, drug–drug interaction and number of comorbidities. Also between ADEs and length of hospital stay. Conclusion The present study shows that ADEs are common in medical ICU of Kasr-Alainy Teaching Hospital. These results suggest future targets of prevention strategies to reduce the rate of occurrence.