High risk prescribing in primary care patients particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events: cross sectional population database analysis in Scottish general practice

Guthrie, B., McCowan, C. , Davey, P., Simpson, C.R., Dreischulte, T. and Barnett, K. (2011) High risk prescribing in primary care patients particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events: cross sectional population database analysis in Scottish general practice. British Medical Journal, 342, d3514. (doi: 10.1136/bmj.d3514)

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Abstract

Almost 14% of patients defined as particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events were prescribed one or more high risk drugs. The composite indicator of high risk prescribing used could identify practices as having above average or below average high risk prescribing rates with reasonable confidence. After adjustment, only the number of drugs prescribed long term to patients was strongly associated with high risk prescribing, and considerable unexplained variation existed between practices. High risk prescribing will often be appropriate, but the large variation between practices suggests opportunities for improvement.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mccowan, Professor Colin
Authors: Guthrie, B., McCowan, C., Davey, P., Simpson, C.R., Dreischulte, T., and Barnett, K.
Subjects:R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
Journal Name:British Medical Journal
Journal Abbr.:BMJ
Publisher:BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:0959-535X
ISSN (Online):1756-1833
Published Online:21 June 2011
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2011 The Authors
First Published:First published in British Medical Journal 342:d3514
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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