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Informative Article | Pharmacotherapeutics | India | Volume 13 Issue 4, April 2024 | Rating: 4.9 / 10
Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Care: The Importance and Implementation of Prescription Audits
Dr. Anu Chandran
Abstract: Prescription audits are pivotal in enhancing patient safety, optimizing therapeutic outcomes, and promoting rational medication use in healthcare settings. This process, involving the systematic review and evaluation of medication orders and prescribing practices, aims to identify discrepancies, errors, and areas for improvement. Through a detailed exploration of prescription audits importance, objectives, methodologies, challenges, and best practices for implementation, this guide underscores the role of such audits in improving the quality of care. By addressing issues like prescribing errors, medication duplications, and inappropriate prescribing, prescription audits contribute significantly to patient safety and care continuity. Furthermore, by promoting adherence to evidence - based guidelines and facilitating medication reconciliation, these audits support the rational use of medications and reduce healthcare costs. The guide also highlights challenges such as data availability, resource constraints, and resistance to change, proposing strategies like leadership support, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of technology to overcome these barriers. Ultimately, prescription audits are shown as essential tools for ensuring safe, effective, and appropriate medication use, driving quality improvement in healthcare.
Keywords: prescription audit, patient safety, quality of care, rational medication use
Edition: Volume 13 Issue 4, April 2024,
Pages: 73 - 75