The impact of price labeling of muscle relaxants on cost consciousness among anesthesiologists.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether placing price labels on the vial caps of muscle relaxants increases cost consciousness among anesthesiologists.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University hospital departments of anesthesia and pharmacy.


RESULTS
We placed price labels on the vial caps of all muscle relaxants for a study period of 1 year. At the beginning of the investigation, we informed the anesthesiologists of the study, discussed the prices for different muscle relaxants, and encouraged utilizing less expensive muscle relaxants whenever possible without compromising patient care. The price labels on the vial caps served as visual reminders of the various costs of muscle relaxants during daily practice. We compared the total amount spent on each muscle relaxant during the period from October 1993 to September 1994 with the period from October 1994 to September 1995. The total number of surgical cases from October 1993 to September 1994 and from October 1994 to September 1995 was unchanged and equaled 20,389 and 20,358 cases, respectively. Expenditures for pancuronium increased 104.1%. Total expenditure decreased by 12.5%, with a net savings of $47,111.


CONCLUSIONS
Expenditures for the less costly pancuronium increased while expenditures for vecuronium and atracurium decreased. Price labeling of muscle relaxants in conjunction with education reduces total pharmacy expenditure on muscle relaxants.
Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine 94305, USA.
Y C
YC
Lin
S R
SR
Miller
D000732:Androstanols / Q000191:economics; D000761:Anesthesia Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D000776:Anesthesiology; D001279:Atracurium / Q000191:economics; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003363:Cost Control; D017046:Cost Savings; D016527:Drug Costs; D004348:Drug Labeling; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000191:economics; D000077590:Mivacurium; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000191:economics*; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / Q000191:economics; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000191:economics; D010197:Pancuronium / Q000191:economics; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077123:Rocuronium; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000191:economics; D014403:Tubocurarine / Q000191:economics; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000191:economics
D000732:Androstanols; D007546:Isoquinolines; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D001279:Atracurium; D000077590:Mivacurium; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D013390:Succinylcholine; D010197:Pancuronium; D014403:Tubocurarine; D000077123:Rocuronium