Nadine Shehab et al. JAMA. 2016; 316(20): 2115-2125. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.16201
"Key Points
Question What are the characteristics of adverse drug events that lead to US emergency department (ED) visits?
Findings Based on 2013-2014 nationally representative surveillance data, an estimated 4 ED visits for adverse drug events occurred per 1000 individuals annually. Among children (aged ≤5 years), antibiotics were most commonly implicated; among older children and adolescents (aged 6-19 years), antibiotics were most commonly implicated, followed by antipsychotics; and among older adults (aged ≥65 years), anticoagulants, diabetes agents, and opioid analgesics were implicated in approximately 60% of ED visits for adverse drug events.
Meaning Adverse drug events from anticoagulants, antibiotics, diabetes agents, opioid analgesics, and antipsychotics are a common reason for ED visits and may benefit from patient safety initiatives.
Conclusions and Relevance
The prevalence of emergency department visits for adverse drug events in the United States was estimated to be 4 per 1000 individuals in 2013 and 2014. The most common drug classes implicated were anticoagulants, antibiotics, diabetes agents, and opioid analgesics."