Cost of computerized drug interaction screening system.
The cost of operating a computerized drug interaction screening program at a 635-bed private community hospital was studied. Cost data were collected during the development of the Pharmacy Automated Drug Interaction Screening system in 1975 and during a one-year study period, June 1978 to June 1979. The total cost of the interaction screening system was analyzed according to (1) patient days, (2) unit dose drugs administered, (3) potentially significant drug interactions detected and monitored, and (4) clinically significant drug interactions prevented. Total estimated annual cost of the program was +5,603.02. Salaries accounted for 63% of the total, computer time costs for 17%, annual leasing of the data base for 16%, and paper for 4%. The cost per number of drug interactions detected and monitored was +0.51. The cost per patient day was +0.42, while the cost per unit dose drug dispensed was only +0.004. Since 341 the study period, this represents a cost of +16.43 each. This system is an inexpensive means of detecting and preventing drug interactions.
D003201:Computers / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005431:Florida; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006801:Humans; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*