MORAIS, S. C. R.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8288403079765207; MORAIS, Sarah Camila Resende de.
Resumo:
Primary Health Care (PHC) is the first point of contact for users in the Unified Health
System (SUS) and accounts for 85% of health demands. Errors in prescriptions at
this level can increase users' exposure to adverse effects related to medication and
raise public expenditures. A proper prescription is essential for Rational Use of
Medicines and for the recovery and promotion of patients' health. The main objective
of this study was to identify the prevalence of medication prescription errors in PHC,
as well as describe the sociodemographic characteristics of Basic Pharmacy users
and characterize the factors associated with these errors. This was a descriptive
cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted at the Basic Pharmacy
of Cuité, PB, from January to February 2023, based on prescriptions from Primary
Care. Descriptive statistics were performed, and an association was considered
significant for p <0.05. A total of 377 prescriptions were analyzed, revealing that
77.5% of the participants were female, and 32.1% had completed elementary
education. The prescriptions were mainly handwritten (71.4%), and 55.7% were on
common prescription pads. It was considered difficult to understand in 24.7% of
cases, with 6.6% showing erasures. It was identified that 49.9% lacked at least one
piece of medication information required by legislation, mainly the treatment duration
(48.0%). Handwritten prescriptions (PR 4.77; CI 2.88 – 7.91), prescriptions subject to
special control (PR 2.73; CI 1.79 – 4.13), medical professionals (PR 22.46; CI 7.97 –
63.29), and prescriptions that were difficult to understand (PR 6.30; CI 3.58 – 11.11)
showed a statistically significant association with the absence of medication
information. The results indicate a fragility in medication prescription within PHC,
highlighting the importance of computerization for patient safety, as well as the need
for Continuous Education and interventions with prescribers.