BMC pharmacology & toxicology
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BMC Pharmacol Toxicol · Apr 2019
Multicenter Study Observational StudyCharacterization and preventability of adverse drug events as cause of emergency department visits: a prospective 1-year observational study.
Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a significant cause of emergency department (ED) visits, with a major impact on healthcare resource utilization. A multicentre observational study, aimed to describe frequency, seriousness and preventability of ADEs reported in four EDs, was performed in Sicily (Italy) over a 1-year period. ⋯ ADEs are a frequent cause of ED visits. The commonly used antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs should be carefully managed, as they are widely involved in mild to severe ADEs. Polytherapy is associated with the occurrence of serious, as well as certainly preventable ADEs, while older age only with serious events. A greater sensitivity to drug monitoring programs among health professionals is needed.