title: Comparison of total costs of administering calcium polycarbophil and psyllium mucilloid in an institutional setting.
abstract: The total cost of administering calcium polycarbophil per unit dose (two tablets) was compared with that of administering psyllium mucilloid (one packet dissolved in 8 oz of water) in 20 elderly nursing-home residents. Times for printing labels, checking and initialing labels, gathering materials needed, and preparing and administering the medications were recorded during at least 50 observations in each treatment group. Total cost included nurses' and pharmacists' time, materials, and medications. Calcium polycarbophil doses were prepared and administered more quickly (mean, 49.5 sec) than psyllium mucilloid (105.3 sec). The mean cost of preparing and administering a unit dose was 28.2 for calcium polycarbophil tablets and 59.9 for psyllium mucilloid. The results suggest that the use of calcium polycarbophil tablets would save time and money in institutions in which laxatives are frequently administered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mamtani
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cimino
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cooperman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kugel
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002400:Cathartics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011620:Psyllium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013996:Time and Motion Studies
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D002400:Cathartics; D011620:Psyllium; C030312:calcium polycarbophil