Detection of adverse drug reactions in a neurological department: comparison between intensified surveillance and a computer-assisted approach.

Objectives: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) leading to hospitalisation or occurring during hospital stay contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality as well as representing an additional cost for healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to provide data about the type and incidence of ADRs in a neurological department and to compare two different methodological approaches to collecting information on ADRs.

Methods: The two methods used were intensified surveillance of neurological wards by daily ward rounds and computer-assisted screening for ADRs by means of pathological laboratory parameters.