The Pattern of using Oral Rehydration Salts in the outpatient setting in Al-Kharj
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Dina I. Fouda
Pediatric Clinical Pharmacy, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed I. Foudah
Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The present study aimed to describe the pattern of using oral rehydration salts in the outpatient setting in Al-Kharj.
Methodology: This retrospective study was carried out at outpatient department in Al-kharj. The study included all of the patients who received oral rehydration salts in the outpatient pharmacy between January and July 2018.
Results: From January/2018 to June/2018, 416 patients received oral rehydration salts (oral rehydration solution) from the outpatient pharmacy of the hospital. More than half of the patients who received oral rehydration salt were males (59.62%). Most of the patients were less than 10 years old (71.15%). Most of the prescriptions were prescribed by emergency department (99.28%) and most of the physicians who prescribed oral rehydration salts were residents (99.28%).
Conclusion: The present study showed that oral rehydration salts were commonly used in Al-kharj. Further studies are needed to explore the frequency of using oral rehydration salts in different settings.
Keywords: Oral rehydration salts, outpatient, pattern, use