INAPPROPRIATE USAGE OF INTRAVENOUS PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN A HIGH COMPLEXITY HOSPITAL IN BRAZIL.

BACKGROUND

Intravenous (IV) use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is advised only in cases of suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) or impossibility of receiving oral medication, although there has been a persistent practice of their inappropriate use in health institutions.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to measure the inappropriate use of IV PPIs in a high complexity hospital in Brazil and to estimate its costs.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 333 patients who received IV omeprazole between July and December of 2018 in a high complexity hospital in Brazil.

RESULTS

IV omeprazole was found to be appropriately prescribed in only 23.4% patient reports. This medication was administered mainly in cases of suspected UGIB (19.1%) and stress ulcer prophylaxis in patients with high risk of UGIB unable to receive medication orally (18.7%). It was observed a statistically significant association between adequate prescription and stress ulcer prophylaxis in patients with high risk of UGIB unable to receive medication orally; patient nil per os with valid indication for PPIs usage; prescription by intensive care unit doctors; prescription by emergency room doctors; intensive care unit admission; evolution to death; sepsis; and traumatic brain injury (P<0.05). On the other hand, inadequate prescription had a statistically significant association with surgical ward prescription and non-evolution to death (P<0.05). The estimated cost of the vials prescribed inadequately was US$1696.

CONCLUSION

There was a high number of inappropriate IV omeprazole prescriptions in the studied hospital, entailing greater costs to the institution and unnecessary risks.