DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN CARDIOLOGY INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE INSTITUTION

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the current prescription pattern of drug utilization in patients admitted in cardiology intensive care unit (ICU) and to find out drug use indicators. Methods: It was a retrospective, observational hospital based study which was done for 6 months after obtaining permission from the institutional human ethics committee. The prescriptions of both genders and of any age groups suffering from any cardiovascular indication who were admitted in cardiology ICU were included. The parameters assessed were demographic profile of the patient, most common diagnosis, ICU outcome, number of days of ICU stay, most common group and number of drugs/prescription. Results: Data from 280 prescriptions were analyzed and it was found that 41-60 yrs patients were most commonly affected (53.6%), coronary artery disease (71.4%) is the most common indication. Most of the patients were discharged in improved condition (82.10%) with an average length of stay >5 days. Nitroglycerin (75.6%) is the most common drug used and at an average >12 drugs are used. Conclusion: Prescribing guideline is required to reduce the prevalent poly-pharmacy. The rational and cost effective prescribing can be promoted by conducting pharmaco-epidemiological studies.