Cost savings associated with pharmacy student interventions during APPEs.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the impact of pharmacy students' clinical interventions in terms of number and cost savings throughout advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) using a Web-based documentation program.


METHODS
Five hundred eighty doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students completing ten 4-week APPEs during the final year of the curriculum were asked to document all clinical interventions they made using a Web-based documentation tool. Data were collected over 4 academic years.


RESULTS
The total number of interventions made was 59,613, the total dollars saved was $8,583,681, and the average savings per intervention was $148. The top 3 categories of interventions made by students were identifying dosing issues, conducting chart reviews, and recommending appropriate therapy. The top 3 intervention types made by students that resulted in the most dollars saved per intervention were identifying potential allergic reactions, identifying drug interactions, and resolving contraindications.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacy students made important and cost-effective clinical interventions during their APPEs that resulted in significant savings. Documentation programs can track the number, type, and value of the interventions that pharmacy students are making.
College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Brian M
BM
Shepler
D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003479:Curriculum; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods; D016527:Drug Costs; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000191:economics*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013997:Time Factors
APPE; clinical interventions; cost analysis; experiential education; pharmacy student