title: Retrospective analysis of the clinical and economic outcomes of twice-daily dosing of cefotaxime in a Canadian tertiary care institution.
abstract: A retrospective analysis of the clinical and economic outcome of a regimen of cefotaxime 1 g given every 12 h was conducted following the introduction of an institutional policy recommending this new dosing strategy. Patients were identified from a log order entry in the pharmacy, and the medical records were reviewed using a standardized data collection form. Explicit criteria were applied for the indications for antimicrobial therapy, presence of infection, and outcome parameters. A total of 60 patients with a mean (+/- SD) age of 56.2 (+/- 17.8) years and a mean (+/- SD) length of stay of 20.75 (+/- 18.1) days were identified. Of these, 48 (80%) were found to have a clinically or microbiologically documented infection, and of the 42 patients who could be assessed accordingly to the criteria chosen, 37 (88%) had a favorable clinical response; 21 patients (35%) received cefotaxime alone. The costs for administration of cefotaxime have decreased by approximately 30% since the introduction of this new dosing regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Services, Toronto Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Tin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pitre
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Conly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002170:Canada; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D002439:Cefotaxime