Prescribing errors at an academic teaching hospital in Johannesburg

A dissertation submitted to the School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of the Witwatersrand in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine (Pharmacology) Johannesburg October 2017Prescribing errors are considered the most preeminent error in medicine and currently there have been no South African published studies which investigated the occurrence and types of prescribing errors in our hospitals. Aims To classify and determine the occurrence of medication prescribing errors in selected ward prescriptions in an academic teaching hospital in Johannesburg. In addition to determine the reasons why these errors occur. Methods This study was a mixed methods study that first investigated prescribing error using a retrospective chart review in four wards (medical, surgical, psychiatric and paediatric wards) over a period of two consecutive months. The second part of the study involved using focus groups to determine the systems factors that led to errors taking place in the hospital. Results The adult prescribing error percentage was calculated at 17.9% and the paediatric error rate was 31.8%. There was a statistically significant difference in the error rate between the medical ward and others with an error rate of 19.97% in the medical ward, 13.28% in the surgical ward, 17.48% in the psychiatric ward and 31.80% in the paediatric ward. Clear systems factors such as lack of supervision, long working hours, lack of clinical pharmacology training and even lack of prescriber feedback were present that lead to errors taking place. Conclusions This was the first study in South Africa to compare four wards and to report on adult and paediatric prescribing errors. There were clear systems factors that could be linked to prescribing errors taking place and recommendations to reduce prescribing errors in the hospital are made.MT 201

May Measurement Month 2018: a pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the International Society of Hypertension

Aims Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk

An update on the measurement and management of cholesterol with specific reference to secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Cardiovascular disease remains the largest contributor to non-communicable adverse disease outcomes. Treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease have evolved at a dramatic pace in the last 40 years. Serum-cholesterol has emerged as the dominant risk factor for coronary artery disease and events. The link between serum-cholesterol and arterial atherosclerosis is well documented. The attainment of cholesterol goals has historically concentrated on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Current evidence and guidelines have shifted to the attainment of non-HDL-C target levels which represent a more thorough inclusion of small dense atherogenic particles. Methods to reduce serum-cholesterol mainly centre around the use of the HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors also known as the statins. High intensity statins like atorvastatin (80 mg) and rosuvastatin (40 mg) are now the preferred starting therapies to lower cholesterol by at least 40–50% in patients with established cardiovascular disease as secondary prevention. In the event of failure of these medications, evidence suggests that the addition of ezetimibe may enhance the total serum-lowering levels to 50–60%. New therapies aimed at inhibiting PCSK9 revealed exciting new targets for LDL-C lowering, but the high cost of these antibodies could preclude access to this therapeutic intervention. Aggressive pursuit of lower LDL-C or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels may reduce the incidence of secondary myocardial infarctions, strokes and death from cardiovascular disease

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is a condition characterized by conjunctival inflammation caused by airborne allergens. The symptoms include: itching, excessive lacrimation, discharge, and conjunctival hyperaemia pink eye). The disease usually affects young adults and is associated with other allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma for example. There are three types of allergic conjunctivitis, namely acute allergic conjunctivitis, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC). The diagnosis is primarily clinical and the prevalence is on the increase. Therapeutic modalities include a combination of topical vasoconstrictor and antihistamine therapies, topical antihistamines with mast cell stabilising properties, topical mast cell stabilisers, topical glucocorticosteroids and (in some cases) oral antihistamines when necessary