Evaluation of Drug Safety Information Provided to Patients at Discharge from a Hospital in Zamfara State

Effective discharge counselling on medications is essential for safe transitions of care and prevention of post-discharge medication errors and readmissions. This study evaluated the quality of drug safety information provided to patients at hospital discharge from a tertiary hospital in Gusau, Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over three months among 200 patients being discharged from medical and surgical wards. A structured checklist assessed whether patients received information on drug names, indication, dose, frequency, route, duration, common side effects, food and drug interactions, and storage. Exit interviews and telephone follow-up at 14 days post-discharge evaluated patient recall and comprehension of discharge medication information. Results showed that complete discharge medication information was provided in only 24.5 percent of cases. Drug name was communicated in 83.5 percent, indication in 51.5 percent, and side effects in only 37.0 percent of discharges. Medication-related readmissions within 14 days were documented in 14.0 percent of study participants, with the majority attributable to dosing errors and adverse effects. Patient recall of correct dosing was accurate in only 56.5 percent of cases at follow-up. The study recommends mandatory written discharge medication counselling, standardised pharmacist discharge counselling protocols, and teach-back methodology as quality improvement priorities in Zamfara State hospitals.

Keywords: discharge counselling, drug safety information, medication errors, Zamfara State, transitions of care