This study was aimed at identifying the distribution profile of intravenous medicine schedules and analyzing potential severe interactions due to the scheduling. A cross-sectional study with documentary analysis was undertaken. Approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the hospital where the research was developed between January and April 2008. The sample consisted of 135 prescriptions with 1847 doses. Results showed an average of 8.8 doses per prescription (±1.05) and 17.6 (±0.9) at the emergency and intensive care service, respectively. Scheduling was predominant in the evening hours (57.11%) in both sectors. Forty-three severe interactions were found, with a prevalence rate of 1.85 and an odds ratio of 5.7, in prescriptions with more than five drugs. The prevalent drugs involved in interactions with a potential for serious injury were sodium phenytoin, vancomycin and ranitidine hydrochloride. It is concluded that the prevalent scheduling within four hours favors the appearance of interactions even in prescriptions with up to five drugs.
Drug interactions; Nursing; Intensive care; Emergencies
