Metronidazole cost containment: a two-stage intervention.
A two-stage intervention was undertaken to extend the dosing interval of metronidazole--from the typically prescribed q6h or q8h regimen to a q12h dosing interval. Following an 2-week informational period, all prescriptions for parenteral metronidazole specifying a dosage interval of 8 hours or less were modified to 12-hour dosage intervals, unless overridden by the prescriber. Prescriptions for the 6-month periods prior to and following the intervention were reviewed to assess its impact on prescribing patterns and cost containment. The incidence of regimens involving 12-hour intervals increased from 5 to 95% following the intervention. A 2-year general hospital/drug utilization health record screen found no drug substitution effect, nor any change in postoperative infection rate or death among metronidazole recipients. Overall, the two-stage intervention was a well-accepted and effective means of cost containment, resulting in an estimated yearly cost savings of $28,000.
Bunz
D
D
Vancouver General Hospital, B.C., Canada.
Gupta
S
S
Jewesson
P
P
D001955:British Columbia; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*
D008795:Metronidazole