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Discontinuities in drug use upon hospital discharge

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Abstract

Objective: To investigate the nature and frequency of changes in drug treatment upon discharge from hospital.

Method: All drugs of discharged patients, dispensed by an outpatient pharmacy were compared with the latest clinical medication and discontinuities were classified.

Results: Of all prescriptions dispensed by the outpatient pharmacy, 40% had some discontinuity; most frequent were product substitution (27%) and new prescriptions, starting at the moment of discharge (11%).

Conclusion: There is a gap in the conformity between drugs used in the hospital and the drugs dispensed by the outpatient pharmacy at the moment of discharge.

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Stuffken, R., Egberts, T.C. Discontinuities in drug use upon hospital discharge. Pharm World Sci 26, 268–270 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:PHAR.0000042878.51914.ab

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:PHAR.0000042878.51914.ab

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