Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in healthcare. An adverse drug reaction is defined as any unintended, harmful, or undesirable response to a drug given at normal human doses. Reactions should be reported to physicians and pharmacists if they result in changes to drug therapy, require additional treatment like epinephrine or steroids, prolong hospital stays, or cause complications or death. When reporting a reaction, provide details on the suspected drug, when it was given, the type of adverse effect, when it occurred, any treatment given, and the outcome.

1. Adverse Drug Reactions
 Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR’s) is one of the leading causes
of morbidity and mortality in health care.
 An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is any noxious, unintended,
undesirable, or unexpected response to a drug that occurs at
doses used in humans for prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy
excluding therapeutic failure
 Any deviations from any of these norms are documented and
reported
 Report all ADR’s to the physician and pharmacist immediately
using the QA Communication Tool located on the intranet

2. Adverse Drug Reactions (continued)
Report any reaction that results in one or more of the following:
• A change and/or discontinuation of drug therapy
• Systemic treatment (antihistamines,
epinephrine, corticosteroids)
• Prolongation of hospital stay
• Complication of diagnosed disease or death
The following reactions are common and are not reported as adverse
drug reactions:
• Itching due to epidural
• Nausea due to narcotics
• Nausea due to chemotherapy

3. Adverse Drug Reactions (continued)
The information needed when reporting an Adverse Drug
Reaction:
 The medication suspected to have caused the reaction
 The date and time the medication was given
 What the adverse reaction was
 Date and time of adverse effect
 Any treatment given to correct it
 Outcome if known