Study of prescription pattern in medicine intensive care unit of a rural medical college and hospital of Himachal Pradesh: A retrospective observational study

Introduction: A large number of drugs are prescribed to the patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as the condition of most patients is critical. Materials and Method: we conducted a retrospective observational study and all the patients admitted to ICU between March 2016 to July 2016 were included in the study except for those who expired. Results: Total 152 cases were included with 100 (65%) males and 52 (35%) females. The mean age was 60.05 ± 16.05 years with a range of 20 years – 90 years with mean age of 58.72 ± 14.85 years in males and 62.52 ± 17.80 years in females. 111 (73%) patients were more than 50 years of age. Average duration of hospital stay was 2.96 ± 2.57 days with a range of 1 to 20 days. Hypertension and Diabetes were most common co-morbidities (52%). Average numbers of drugs prescribed were 11.06 ± 3.88. CVS system was affected in 80%, respiratory system in 6%, excretory system in 4%, GIT in 3%, CNS in 2% and others in 5% patients. Drugs prescribed were atorvastatin in 124, aspirin ± clopidogrel in 119, anticoagulants in 105, oxygen inhalation in 95, benzodiazepines in 94, ACEIs/ ARBs in 93, β- Blockers in 86, laxatives in 81, morphine in 62, antiemetics in 58, gastric acid secretion inhibitors in 58, diuretics in 50, vasopressor agents in 48, nitrates in 45, bronchodilators in 44, fibrinolytics in 32, steroids in 29, antidiabetics in 28, antihistaminics in 21, NSAIDs in 20, atropine in 15, antianginals in 7, CCBs in 6 and potassium channel openers in 2 patients. Conclusion: Frequent drug utilization studies are need of the hour to know drug prescription pattern and to promote evidence based medicine.