Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Evaluation of Appropriate Renal Dosing of Medications in a Medical Resident Training Facility
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Start Date
10-4-2015 9:15 AM
End Date
10-4-2015 10:00 AM
Sponsor
Jessica Wilhoite (Butler University)
Description
Background: Renal adjustments of medications are needed to ensure safety for patients and to limit adverse events associated with elevated drug levels. Common medications prescribed on an outpatient basis that are often overlooked regarding renal dose adjustments include gabapentin and pregabalin. There is documented literature that suggests there is an unawareness of dosing recommendations or indifference to toxicity that could be preventable in the future. Further evaluation is needed to determine if these medications are being prescribed appropriately in patients with inadequate renal function.
Study Objectives: To evaluate appropriate renal adjusted dosing of gabapentin and pregabalin in patients at the Joshua Max Simon Primary Care Center.
Methods: A baseline query of prescriptions written from 2012-2014 for gabapentin and pregabalin for patients >50 years was pulled from the electronic health record. Kidney function was estimated using patient data (SCr, weight, height, sex) by the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Baseline parameters collected for each patient also included age, year of prescription, clinic used, and year of medical resident who prescribed the prescription. Appropriateness of dosing was determined by comparing dosing regimens from online drug databases. All data was analyzed in using statistical methods appropriate to the type of data collected and analysis was completed with SPSS statistical analysis data program.
Significance: Evaluation of reported medication safety events at the Primary Care Center has identified a trend in dosing errors related to adjustment for renal function with gabapentin and pregabalin. Analysis of the scope of the problem will help to increase awareness of dosing changes that are needed to prevent additional medication errors.
Evaluation of Appropriate Renal Dosing of Medications in a Medical Resident Training Facility
Indianapolis, IN
Background: Renal adjustments of medications are needed to ensure safety for patients and to limit adverse events associated with elevated drug levels. Common medications prescribed on an outpatient basis that are often overlooked regarding renal dose adjustments include gabapentin and pregabalin. There is documented literature that suggests there is an unawareness of dosing recommendations or indifference to toxicity that could be preventable in the future. Further evaluation is needed to determine if these medications are being prescribed appropriately in patients with inadequate renal function.
Study Objectives: To evaluate appropriate renal adjusted dosing of gabapentin and pregabalin in patients at the Joshua Max Simon Primary Care Center.
Methods: A baseline query of prescriptions written from 2012-2014 for gabapentin and pregabalin for patients >50 years was pulled from the electronic health record. Kidney function was estimated using patient data (SCr, weight, height, sex) by the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Baseline parameters collected for each patient also included age, year of prescription, clinic used, and year of medical resident who prescribed the prescription. Appropriateness of dosing was determined by comparing dosing regimens from online drug databases. All data was analyzed in using statistical methods appropriate to the type of data collected and analysis was completed with SPSS statistical analysis data program.
Significance: Evaluation of reported medication safety events at the Primary Care Center has identified a trend in dosing errors related to adjustment for renal function with gabapentin and pregabalin. Analysis of the scope of the problem will help to increase awareness of dosing changes that are needed to prevent additional medication errors.