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Metronidazole cost containment: a two-stage intervention.
1Vancouver General Hospital, B.C., Canada.
Hospital Formulary
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Extending metronidazole dosing from every 6-8 hours to every 12 hours significantly improved prescribing patterns and achieved substantial cost savings without impacting patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Health Economics
Background:
- Metronidazole is commonly prescribed at 6-hour or 8-hour intervals.
- Optimizing dosing regimens can lead to cost containment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of extending metronidazole dosing intervals on prescribing patterns and cost savings.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of the modified dosing regimen.
Main Methods:
- A two-stage intervention was implemented to change metronidazole dosing from q6h/q8h to q12h.
- Prescribing data from 6-month periods before and after the intervention were analyzed.
- A 2-year hospital record review assessed drug substitution, infection rates, and mortality.
Main Results:
- The incidence of 12-hour metronidazole dosing increased from 5% to 95% post-intervention.
- No significant changes were observed in drug substitution, postoperative infection rates, or mortality.
- Estimated annual cost savings of $28,000 were achieved.
Conclusions:
- Extending metronidazole dosing intervals to q12h is an effective cost-containment strategy.
- The intervention was well-accepted and did not compromise patient safety or clinical outcomes.