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[Study of prescriptions referred back to a health center].

OBJECTIVE
To study referred-back prescriptions, in the areas of source, consumption, cost and information supplied to the family doctor.


DESIGN
Descriptive study of a prospective type.


SETTING
"La Merced" Health Centre, Cádiz.


PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS
All the reports sent over a two-month period from referral specialists (emergency, second level and hospital) to four consulting rooms at the Health Centre.


MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Out of the 6,499 on-demand consultations, 241 attended in order to obtain a referred-back prescription (3.74%). Of the total of 241 reports sent back by specialists, 12%, 7.9% and 69.7% did not report on diagnosis, recommended dosage and length of treatment, respectively. 44.8% were short-term treatments. In 47.7% of the referred-back prescription notes, only one prescription was required. Referred-back prescriptions supposed 9% of the prescriptions issued during the period under observation.


CONCLUSIONS
The study only measured incidence, therefore underestimating referred-back prescriptions. In 48% of prescriptions, administrative time could have been saved by dispatching the prescription at its place of origin. There was a notable lack of information supplied in the reports, which we interpret as an indirect indicator of poor coordination between different levels of care. When prescription studies are carried out in Primary Care, the prescription profile of the referral specialists must be taken into consideration.