Criteria-based antimicrobial i.v. to oral conversion program.
Collaborative efforts among several departments and the P & T Committee resulted in an IV to oral conversion program for select antimicrobials in our 580-bed county teaching hospital. This criteria-based program was designed to monitor and educate physicians on the appropriateness of parenteral antimicrobial prescribing, ensure rapid transition from IV to oral therapy, and contain costs. In the first 2 months of the program, 78 patients were converted from IV to oral administration with an estimated savings of $12,935. Of the ordering physicians, 66 (84.6%) accepted the interventions. All patients who switched administration routes were successfully treated with an oral agent. This program also has had a positive effect on patient outcomes and physician prescribing habits.
Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Houston, TX 77026, USA.
A U
AU
Okpara
J J
JJ
Maswoswe
K
K
Stewart
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D017046:Cost Savings; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000191:economics; D008499:Medical Records; D010606:Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee; D013781:Texas