EVALUATION OF PEDIATRIC DRUG PRESCRIPTIONS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL
Amanda Queiroz Soares, Marcelo Rodrigues Martins, Renata Figueiredo Carvalho, Hérica Núbia Cardoso Cirilo, Ana Carolina Figueiredo Modesto, Izabel de Paula Duarte, Vivianne Vieira de Melo

Medication errors in pediatrics are up to three times more frequent than in adults, with higher incidence
in the prescribing process.
Objective: to evaluate the profile of drug prescriptions of patients in the Pediatric clinic and Pediatric
Emergency Service of a public teaching hospital member of the Rede Sentinela of National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance, highlighting the importance of pharmaceutical care in improving hospital care to pediatric patients.
Methods: this study is a descriptive cross-sectional profile of pedriatric drug prescriptions. We evaluated all drug prescriptions of the Pediatric clinic and Pediatric Emergency Service sent to the Pharmacy during the month of June 2011, with respect to aspects of the header, prescriber data and the characteristics of the drugs prescribed. The data collected were processed and analyzed using the Epi Info version 3.5.2 and Microsoft Excel 2007®.
Results: In the 733 prescriptions evaluated, we met 4155 drugs. Of these, 3038 and 1117 were from the Pediatric Clinic and Pediatric Emergency Service, respectively. Among the prescription errors found are those related to the identification of the patient and the prescriber. Regarding the characteristics of prescription drugs, we observed non-compliance with legislation, as well as several errors in writing prescriptions. It was also found the presence of high-alert medications, as well as unlicensed drugs for pediatric use in the country.
Conclusion: It was possible to note that prescription errors are common, although the prescription is a
key tool in ensuring safe access to the drug by the patient. Thus it highlights the importance of the pharmacist as the one able to promote the rationalization of prescriptions, reducing medication errors.
Descriptors: hospital pharmacy, drug prescription, prescription errors, pediatrics, high-alert medications

Descriptors: hospital pharmacy, drug prescription, prescription errors, pediatrics, high-alert medications