REPORTING OF ADVERSE DRUG-REACTIONS BY HOSPITAL DOCTORS AND THE RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION

Aims In Ireland there are relatively fewer adverse drug reaction (ADR/ yellow card) reports from doctors in hospital than in general practice . The aim of this study was to review the attitudes to reporting of AD Rs of hospital doctors and to determine the effect of making yellow ca rds fi-eely available, Methods A postal survey of actively practising doctors with follow-up of nonresponders was undertaken. We addressed t he single most frequently claimed deterrent to reporting, unavailabili ty of yellow cards, by making cards prominently available and placing one in patient's chart upon admission. In addition, doctors were regul arly reminded that ADRs should be reported. Results Of 118 hospital ba sed doctors, only 45% had ever reported an ADR. Fewer than 5% of pre-r egistration house officers had reported an ADR and the likelihood of r eporting increased with seniority and was greater among physicians tha n surgeons. We found no evidence that doctors had published case repor ts in place of submitting ADR reports. Over 3 months, the greater avai lability of yellow cards and reminders about reporting ADRs led to an approximate five-fold increase in reports but reporting declined rapid ly thereafter when verbal reminders were withdrawn, despite continued ready availability of cards suggesting that making cards available alo ne does not significantly increase reporting. Conclusions This study i ndicates there may be more fundamental constraints to reporting than a ttitudinal surveys would suggest and we need to explore additional ave nues to ensure a 'reporting culture'.