Related Experiment Videos
[A iatrogenic pathology study in an internal medicine service]
A L Sampéreiz Legarre1, M T Rubio Obanos, F Escolar Castellón
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Reina Sofía de Tudela, Navarra.
Revista Clinica Espanola
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Iatrogenic events, or harm caused by medical care, affect 14.7% of internal medicine admissions in Spain. Many of these adverse drug reactions, particularly from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are preventable.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Iatrogenesis, or harm arising from medical treatment, is a recognized issue in healthcare.
- The prevalence and severity of iatrogenic problems in Spain remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and characteristics of iatrogenic pathology in internal medicine patients in Spain.
- To identify common causes, affected systems, and avoidability of iatrogenic events.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of internal medicine admissions over 13 months.
- Evaluation of iatrogenic problems (pharmacological and non-pharmacological), severity, mortality, affected organs, and avoidability.
- Exclusion of infusion phlebitis from the main analysis.
Main Results:
- Iatrogenic pathology occurred in 14.7% of 1,549 admissions (228 cases).
- Adverse drug reactions accounted for 62% of iatrogenic cases, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being the most frequent culprits.
- The gastrointestinal (GI) tract was the most commonly affected system (84 cases).
Conclusions:
- Iatrogenic pathology has a high incidence in the studied population.
- NSAIDs frequently cause adverse reactions, often in outpatient settings.
- A significant proportion of iatrogenic events are avoidable with improved medical attention.