Drug Related Problems in Outpatients with Congestive Heart Failure at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate drug related problems in outpatients with congestive heart failure at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. Method: Descriptive study was carried out from November 2009 to January 2010. All patients who were diagnosed as chronic congestive heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction or ejection fraction less than 40% and treated with medications not less than 1 month in  the outpatient department were interviewed.  Results: Forty-five patients were included in the study, 73.3% of them had drug related problems and 51 drug related problems have found. The average of drug related problems per case was 1.1+1.01 problems. The most common drug related problems were noncompliance 56.9%, unnecessary drug therapy 13.7% and dosage too low 9.8%. The major cause of the problem was the lack of patient knowledge and understanding of drug uses.  Conclusion: Patients with congestive heart failure had high prevalence of drug related problems. The most common drug related problems may be resolved or prevented by follow up. Pharmacist should be able to identify the cause of drug related problems and plan to resolve the problems with multidisciplinary team.