title: [Analyzing the evolution of a Pharmacy Department using a relative value unit system].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study proposes the use of relative value units (RVU) as a clinical management tool to evaluate departmental services.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure productivity from 2000 to 2002 by estimating RVU. To determine RVU cost in constant Euros and evaluate system efficiency during this period of time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, observational study of a pharmacy department s production. RVU assigned to each activity have been obtained from a standardized document drawn up by the Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria. Cost of each RVU was determined based on total cost assigned to the pharmacy department and the total number of RVUs produced.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Drug dispensation activities account for 76% of the total production, followed by elaboration activities (21%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Productivity in our department has increased 46.48% in this period of time, while efficiency has increased by 23.8%.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Poveda Andrés
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García Gómez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valladolid Walsh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garrigues Sebastiá
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubio Fernández
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D015895:Relative Value Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies