Medicine Project Abstract
CURRENT PATTERNS OF DRUG USE IN THE NICU
Presenters:
Megan Narula, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; catswig@imsa.edu
Jill S. Zaveri, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; jzaveri@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Dr. Praveen Kumar, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Prentice Hospital No.404, 333 East Superior, Chicago, IL, 60611; 312-926-7624; 312-707-2676; p-kumar@northwestern.edu
Abstract:
Throughout the years there have been various assessments monitoring drug use among neonates. The importance of these tests becomes obvious through continuous patterns in the median number of drugs received and the number of unlicensed/off-label drug use based on gestation age and birth weight, the change in practice of drug use over the last decade, as well as the incidence of adverse drug effects or medical error. An analysis not directly related to these prescription drugs includes pharmacy cost. Trends in this area will lead to a better understanding of the percentage of total hospital costs per sick infant in the NICU. Based on previous studies the number of drugs administered to a neonate inversely affects gestational birth weight. Furthermore, drug usage is directly related to length of stay as well as the severity of the clinical condition. In addition, the occurrence of unlicensed/off-label drug use to treat neonates is widespread. However, after years of experience with particular unlicensed/off-label drugs, it may be necessary to reassess the conventional definition of these drugs. Because this research involves the examination of patient records, a submission to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) was deemed necessary before research could begin. Methods include analyzing records from clinical pharmacists and compiling information into a database to assess patterns.