Identifying Hospital Admissions Due to Adverse Drug Events: Using a Computer-Based Monitor

Abstract

We developed an adverse drug event (ADE) monitor based on published rules, and used it to detect admissions to the hospital due to ADEs. Over the study period, the ADE monitor identified 76 admissions to the hospital due to ADEs. Of these, 21 were determined to be preventable. The hospital-wide rate of admissions due to ADEs was 1.4/100 admissions and the preventable ADE admission rate was 0.4/100 admissions. The 76 events were associated with $1.2 million in costs. The computer monitor required 11 person hours a week to execute.