Study highlights value of
nurses for identifying problems
(Adverse
Drug Events-May 7, 2003)
Authors of a research
letter highlight the important role that nurses can play in detecting
adverse drug reactions (ADR).
Policies vary across
countries in authorizing nurses to report ADR; the U.K. National Health
Service recently expanded the reporting of ADR to nurses (in addition to
doctors, dentists, coroners, and pharmacists) in October last year.
Munir Pirmohamed from
the University of Liverpool, U.K., and colleagues assessed the role of
community and hospital nurses in the reporting of ADR in the Lancet
(2003;361(9366)). The proportion and quality of reports received from nurses
was similar to that of those received from doctors: reports were received
from one in seven nurses eligible to report, compared with one in eight
doctors; 77% of nurse reports and 69% doctor reports were judged to be
appropriate, according to regulatory authority criteria.
Munir Pirmohamed
commented, "Our findings show that nurses are capable of recognizing and
reporting adverse drug reactions. When compared with doctors, the proportion
of nurses reporting, and the quality of reports received, was similar. The
results are similar to those of a previous study in Ireland with hospital
nurses.
The meningitis C vaccine
campaign has drawn further attention to the importance of nurse reports of
ADRs. The role of nurses in the NHS is changing; a prominent development has
been the extension of medicines nurses can prescribe. Prescription of
medicines by nurses should logically be accompanied by an ability, and
encouragement, to report ADRs after appropriate training. Our data suggest
that nurses can play a valuable part in enhancing pharmacovigilance within
the U.K." This article was prepared by Managed Care Weekly Digest editors
from staff and other reports.
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