Survey of prescription-writing quality in hospital

The quality of prescription writing has been evaluated in respect of standards of good practice. Among the 44 medical departments of a university hospital, 39 agreed to participate in the study. A sample of 30 patients from each participating department was randomized out of one year's hospital stays; 790 patient records were relevant and have been analysed. The patient's identification was complete in 39.1 +/- 3.4 per cent. The prescriptor was properly identified by name and signature in 7.2 +/- 1.8 per cent of prescriptions studied. Only 8.9 +/- 2.1 per cent of prescriptions contained the required information for each medication. Results of this study have been sent to all hospital physicians with recommendations for good prescription practice. This evaluation constitutes the first stage of a quality process based on the awareness and information of concerned actors and follow up of specific indicators.