PHARMACIST-LED PROTOCOLS FOR THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF STRESS ULCERS IN ATHLETES: A MODEL FOR INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led model for the prevention and management of stress ulcers in athletes admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patient data from January 2020 to January 2023. A total of 80 ICU admissions were reviewed, with 40 cases before and 40 after implementing a pharmacist-led stress ulcer prevention (SUP) protocol. The study compared the rationality of SUP medication, occurrence of adverse reactions, drug costs, and instances of irrational drug use before and after the protocol implementation. Results: The rational drug use rate for SUP improved significantly from 65.00% to 92.50% (P < 0.05), and the timing of intravenous and oral administration was optimized from 77.50% to 97.50% (P < 0.05). Timely discontinuation of medication also increased from 72.50% to 95.00% (P < 0.05). Adverse reactions were reduced overall, with gastric bleeding dropping from 5.00% to 2.50%, and pneumonia cases reduced to zero (P > 0.05). Drug costs associated with inappropriate SUP decreased significantly, indicating substantial cost savings (P < 0.05). The rate of irrational drug use notably decreased from 35.00% to 7.50% after implementing the pharmacist-led model. Conclusion: Implementing a pharmacist-led model for stress ulcer prevention in ICUs is both feasible and effective, particularly for athlete patients who require rapid and rational management to return to training and competition swiftly. This model not only improves medication rationality but also reduces the likelihood of adverse reactions and lowers healthcare costs, supporting better overall outcomes for high-performance individuals in intensive care settings. This approach underscores the importance of specialized pharmaceutical care in managing athlete health in critical care scenarios.