An evaluation of interventions designed to stimulate physician reporting of adverse drug events

A frequent complaint among health care professionals about ADE reporting programs is that they never know what happens to the information they took the time and effort to report. In the Mississippi ADE program, physicians appreciated the feedback they were provided--in letter form--indicating the ultimate disposition of the reported information. Also, a regular newsletter summarizing the number and types of reports and the drugs involved was well received. This vehicle was also used to educate physicians about new drugs on the market that warranted closer scrutiny. Reminder posters placed at strategic points around the hospital and periodic inservices on the program are effective in maintaining a level of awareness about the importance of ADE monitoring and its impact on the quality of care.