Justification and evaluation of an aminoglycoside pharmacokinetic dosing service

This article reviews the administrative and clinical processes and alternatives involved in justifying and implementing an aminoglycoside pharmacokinetic dosing service in a 500-bed community hospital. The methods used to document the initial problem areas and gain medical staff and administrative approval to propose alternative solutions are described. The financial and quality considerations used to justify a new clinical service to hospital administration are reviewed and the procedures employed to implement the new service are presented. Finally, the methods used to document performance of the new service are discussed.