title: Designing drug-usage evaluation to meet Joint Commission requirements.
abstract: Strategies for influencing prescribing practices utilizing the drug-usage evaluation (DUE) process are described. Our DUE program has evolved into a collaborative program that provides significant pharmacy involvement while maintaining medical staff responsibility, as outlined by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (Joint Commission). A multidisciplinary approach is utilized to identify prescribing problems, develop prescribing criteria, and provide educational initiatives. Pharmacists provide drug therapy monitoring, engage in clinical interventions, and document the outcomes of these interventions. DUE pharmacists report results of these initiatives to the medical staff and quality assessment program. Physician performance compliance is incorporated into the credentialing process. Corrective measures are determined by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Subcommittee, with subsequent actions carried out by peer physicians. The net result is a positive influence on prescribing practices that improves the appropriate and effective use of drugs, while meeting Joint Commission standards.
authors.affiliation: The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Peroutka
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006785:Hospitals, University; D007484:Iowa; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D010606:Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014481:United States