OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of outpatient prescriptions in the Second People’s Hospital of Hefei（hereinafter referred to as “the hospital”）

so as to reduce the irrational rate of outpatient prescriptions. METHODS: From Jan. to Mar. 2021

3 000 electronic prescriptions randomly extracted from the outpatient pharmacy of the hospital were reviewed and summarized

and Pareto analysis was performed according to irrational prescription types. RESULTS: Among the 3 000 outpatient prescriptions

2 937 prescriptions were rational

with the rational rate of 97.90%. Of the 63 irrational prescriptions

28（44.44%） were non-standard prescriptions

26（41.27%） were inappropriate prescriptions

and 9（14.29%） were abnormal prescriptions. There were 738 antibacterial prescriptions（24.60% of total prescriptions）

and the top 3 departments ranked by antibacterial prescriptions were gynecology department

respiratory department and gastroenterology department. From Jan. to Mar. 2021

the monthly prescription qualified rates were respectively 97.50%

98.90% and 97.30%

the proportions of antibiotics were respectively 23.50%

25.80% and 24.50%

and the proportions of national essential drugs were respectively 35.60%

38.70% and 36.90%. CONCLUSIONS: The overall qualified rate of outpatient prescriptions and the proportion of antibiotics in the hospital do not meet the requirements of the evaluation standard of tertiary general hospitals

among them

off-label prescriptions

inappropriate usage and dosage

non-use of antibiotics according to regulations

and non-preferred national essential drugs without justifiable reasons are major problems. Regular prescription review is an effective approach to standardize clinical rational drug use and ensure the effectiveness and safety of patients’ drug use.