CLINICAL-PRACTICE SURVEY APPLIED TO DRUG- USE IN-HOSPITAL - CONCEPTS AND METHODOLOGY

A clinical practice survey, if patient focused, identifies and analyse s complexity of drug use. It is nor a clinical audit whose aim is to c ompare observed practice with predetermined criteria. A clinical pract ice survey is useful when a problem exists in a low evidence based cli nical area or to elaborate clinical guidelines. Implementation is base d on epidemiological methodology and project management and needs a fr amework determined by a facilitator (trained in quality improvement me thods and expert in the clinical area concerned), planning (the more h igher the number of wards, the higher the complexity) and the project guidelines must be respected. Since lack of physician involvement is a drawback, support provided by the quality centre (if it exists) must be limited to technical aspects. It is important to appreciate the lev el of quality culture of the organization and the project must be appr oved by the hospital manager.