OBJECTIVE: Using quality control circle management tools to reduce the number of irrational prescriptions and improve the quality of prescriptions in outpatient. METHODS: Research data came from a total of 714458 outpatient prescriptions in the People’s Hospital of Banan District in Chongqing from Jan. to Oct. 2020

of which 5482 were irrational prescriptions. Quality control circle activity was carried out in outpatient pharmacy to screen out irrational outpatient prescriptions in the former 5 months of the activity（ Jan. to May 2020） and conduct status investigation

cause analysis

formulating and implementation of countermeasures to solve the problems

and performed comparative analysis on the changes of the number of irrational prescriptions in outpatient before and after the quality control circle activity. RESULTS: In the later 5 months of the quality control circle activity（ Jun. to Oct. 2020）

the incidence of irrational outpatient prescriptions had decreased from 28. 42 prescriptions/d in the former 5 months of the quality control circle activity（ Jan. to May 2020） to 8. 13 prescriptions/d

with the amplitude was 71. 39%

and the number of irrational prescriptions was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The application of quality control circle management methods can effectively reduce the irrational rate of outpatient prescriptions

promote rational drug application in hospital and ensure the safety of patients’ medication.