Prescription Audit in a Paediatric Outpatient Department: A Crosssectional Study in Sub-district hospital

Introduction: Prescription audits in healthcare settings play a crucial role in evaluating and enhancing the quality of patient care. We have assessed the prescription patterns and practices of physicians at a sub-district hospital, Gondal-36011, Gujarat, India. A study focusing on compliance with WHO-recommended core prescribing indicators. Additionally, we had examined the completeness of prescriptions concerning essential components such as patient details, drug details, and instructions to patients. Methodology: A prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2024 at the pediatric outpatient department (OPD) of a sub-district hospital. We had analyzed 150 prescriptions. Data collection included demographic details, prescription completeness assessment, and adherence to prescribing standards. We conducted descriptive statistical analyses for detailed evaluation. Results: Out of 150 prescriptions audited, notable findings included an average of 2.44 drugs per prescription. Prescription errors were prevalent, with missing patient information (age, weight, gender) in varying percentages, absence of prescriber identification in all cases, and not written in capital letters. Generic name usage was at 78.41%, and prescriptions adhering to NLEM comprised 75.68%. Antibiotics were prescribed in 23.33% of cases and injections in 3.33%. Essential prescription components such as dosage (39.33%), frequency (12%), duration (56%), and instructions to patients (84%) were frequently omitted. Conclusion: The study highlights a critical need to improve prescription writing. It has identified common mistakes such as failing to provide instructions to patients, absent diagnosis, dose or treatment duration details, not using generic names, and illegible handwriting of prescribers. Educated and qualified medical professionals should follow the guidelines to write clear and efficient prescriptions. Effective strategies to improve prescription quality involve adopting electronic prescribing systems along with participating in continuous professional education programs. Regular prescription audits and sensitizing medical professionals are crucial for enhancing healthcare systems.