Evaluation of an antibiotic intravenous to oral sequential therapy program.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to analyse the drug consumption difference and economic impact of an antibiotic sequential therapy focused on quinolones.


METHODS
We studied the consumption of quinolones (ofloxacin/levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin) 6 months before and after the implementation of a sequential therapy program in hospitalised patients. It was calculated for each antibiotic, in its oral and intravenous forms, in defined daily dose (DDD/100 stays per day) and economical terms (drug acquisition cost). At the beginning of the program ofloxacin was replaced by levofloxacin and, since their clinical uses are similar, the consumption of both drugs was compared during the period.


RESULTS
In economic terms, the consumption of intravenous quinolones decreased 60% whereas the consumption of oral quinolones increased 66%. In DDD/100 stays per day, intravenous forms consumption decreased 53% and oral forms consumption increased 36%.


CONCLUSIONS
Focusing on quinolones, the implementation of a sequential therapy program based on promoting an early switch from intravenous to oral regimen has proved its capacity to alter the utilisation profile of these antibiotics. The program has permitted the hospital a global saving of 41420 dollars for these drugs during the period of time considered.
Pablos
Ana I
AI
Pharmacy Department, Doce de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. ana.pablos@madrid.org
Escobar
Ismael
I
Albiñana
Sandra
S
Serrano
Olga
O
Ferrari
José M
JM
Herreros de Tejada
Alberto
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000639:trends; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical / Q000639:trends; D005572:Formularies, Hospital as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000191:economics*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004304:Dosage Forms; D015363:Quinolones