Effect of academic detailing on insulin prescribing: a before and after study

Published Date: 28th April 2017

Publication Authors: Hart A, Lloyd M, Furlong NJ, Hardy KJ

​Abstract

Introduction and aims

Insulin is a high risk medication with prescribing errors potentially compromising patient care. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of educational outreach on insulin prescribing in a hospital setting.

Methods

Insulin prescribing was prospectively audited over a four week period. Hospital pharmacists then delivered educational outreach on insulin prescribing to ward based prescribers. Insulin prescribing was then re-audited over a four week period. Chi-squared test were used to determine the impact of the educational outreach on insulin prescribing standards.

Results

Following the educational outreach intervention, a significant improvement in the prescribing of inpatient insulin prescriptions was shown for two particular standards: endorsement of the administration instructions in relation to food (86.2% error rate pre-intervention reduced to 67.6% post-intervention; P value = < 0.01) and endorsement of device (86.2% error rate pre-intervention reduced to 68.6% post-intervention; P value = < 0.01). All other standards measured for inpatient and discharge prescriptions did not show any statistically significant differences between the pre and post-intervention groups.

Conclusions

Structured educational outreach can promote and reinforce adherence to some insulin prescribing standards. A reduction in insulin prescribing errors can potentially improve patient safety and workplace processes. Further work is required to optimise and determine the most effective method at reducing insulin prescribing errors.

Hart, A; Lloyd, M; Furlong, N; Hardy, K. (2017). P253 Effect of academic detailing on insulin prescribing: a before and after study . Diabetic Medicine. 34 (S1), 108

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