[Use of ranitidine in children's before and after an educative intervention with resident's in a third level...

The H2-receptor blockers are often prescribed, but its good tolerance and accessibility have contributed to the abuse of these drugs. The lack of medical knowledge of the precise use of ranitidine involves a higher cost of care and possible errors.

To evaluate the use of ranitidine in a pediatric hospital of third level before and after an educational intervention for medical residents.

We reviewed 240 clinical files, taken at random from hospital wards, excluding emergency room and intensive care unit. The correct indications and the precise dose of the drug were verified. Ninety-three medical residents of each grade of the Pediatric residency were evaluated with an initial survey (IS). Each resident was handed a document with the indications,dosage of medicine and pharmacology. A month later, a second survey (SS) to the medial resident and clinical file was performed.

The justified indication of ranitidine increased from 52.1 to 66.6% and not justified fell from 47.8 to 33.3%, the error in the prescription increased from 10.8 to 19.0% in the (SS) despite the educational intervention.

The educational intervention on residents decreased prescribing of the drug when it is not justified; however more training and assistance to doctors and nurses is needed to avoid errors in prescribing and to prevent adverse effects.