Cross-sectional study evaluating the patterns of queries received by a newly established drug and poison information center in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: The newly established drug and poison information center (DPIC) at the Department of Pharmacology, Akash Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, located at Devanahalli, Bangalore Rural, Karnataka, India, provides drug and poison information services to healthcare professionals (HCP) and to the patients. The DPIC is effectively functioning since 2016. Aims and Objectives: To assess and evaluate the services delivered by DPIC. Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional observational study was conducted over 1-year period (December 2016‑November 2017) to assess the patterns of queries received by DPIC. A total of 147 drug and poison-related information queries were received and answered during the study period. Data analysis was done by GraphPad. Results: Of the total queries received, majority of queries were from HCP (49%) followed by doctors (42%) and patients (9%). Majority of the queries (82.2%) were received by telephone access/WhatsApp messages (60%). A total of 60.54% queries were related to know the identity, symptoms, antidote, and management of poisoning cases. Most of the queries were for better patient care (88%) and the information was provided verbally for majority of the queries (81%). For most of the poisoning queries (62.9%), the information was provided immediately significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions: DPICs can offer drug consultation services for HCP and patients in identifying poisons, symptoms, antidotes and management of poisoning cases and well detect and prevent adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions, etc. Therefore, improve overall patients’ healthcare standards can promote rational therapeutics.