PRESCRIBING PATTERN AMONG GERIATRIC INPATIENTS AT GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS HOSPITAL, NAGAPATTINAM

Abstract

Background: Prescribing pattern explains the usage of drugs from essential medical list extent and quality of drugs for prescribing, dispensing and administering of drugs develop to achieve a rational use of drugs. Aims & Objective: This study was to analyze the prescribing pattern among geriatric inpatients at Government Headquarters hospital, Nagapattinam. Materials and Methods: An observational Retrospective study was conducted 75 geriatric inpatients in the department of medicine wards from May to October 2021. Data were collected and assessed to analyze the prescription. Results: A total of 1831 prescription were collected.Most of the geriatric patients were between the ages of 65 and 70 years (74.67%) and the male patients(53.33%)were more dominant than female. Systemic hypertension(20.91) was the most common Disease followed by Coronary Artery Disease(16.36%) and Diabetes Mellitus (14.55%) respectively. Drugs acting on cardiovascular system were the most commonly prescribed drugs (26.76%) followed by drugs acting on gastrointestinal system (17.04%),drugs acting on nervous system (11.80%),drugs acting on hematological system (7.37%), Antimicrobials (6.6%), drugs acting on respiratory system (3.82%). Average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 7.08. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 100%.. Conclusion: The prescribing pattern can helpful for pharmacist intervention to assess the quality of care and rationality of the geriatric patients.