Notation of allergies and body weight on patient profiles

The purpose of this study was to increase the documentation of allergy and body weight information on pharmacy medication profile cards for pediatric patients. The intent was to facilitate pharmacist evaluation of medication dosages ordered for these patients. A plastic allergy/weight imprinting card was supplied to each nursing unit and was used to imprint all admitting physician's order sheets. Allergy and weight information was to be filled in by the physician and/or nurse before routing a copy of these orders to the satellite pharmacy. Inservice education was presented and follow-up phone calls were made. During an 18-day control period, baseline data on documentation of allergies and weight were collected. During an 18-day study period, the allergy/weight card was used and follow-up phone calls were made. During an 18-day post-study period, the card and phone calls were removed. Percent of profiles having allergies and weight were, respectively: control period, 33 percent and 28 percent; study period, 80 percent and 76 percent; post-study period, 47 percent and 46 percent. Imprinting "allergy/weight" with space for filling in this information can result in an increased number of pharmacy patient profiles having these data so that medications can be checked prior to dispensing the first dosages of medication.