Conclusions
The many problems noted in the source studies, and the further flaws in the meta-analysis, raise significant doubt about the appropriateness and validity of the meta-analysis and its conclusions, including the extrapolation to all present-day hospitalized patients. A better understanding of the factors that result in preventable drug prescription errors, monitoring, compliance, and administration would best serve both patients and providers. This understanding would be enhanced by a research focus on current studies that identify preventable events accurately, to explore how they happen, and how to prevent them.
The authors acknowledge the expert search services provided by Mr. Bruce Kupelnick of MetaWorks and comments provided by Gary Persinger of National Pharmaceutical Council, Dr. Bert Spilker and Kimberly Dietrich of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and Dr. Michael Arrighi of Amgen.
Funding informationSupported by the National Pharmaceutical Council and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
© 2000 Medscape
Cite this: Adverse Drug Reactions in Hospitalized Patients: A Critique of a Meta-analysis - Medscape - Apr 27, 2000.
