Surfactant replacement therapy: development of criteria for appropriate use. Ohio State University Hospitals

At The Ohio State University (OSU) Hospitals, DUE criteria were established when colfosceril palmitate, a synthetic surfactant, was added to the formulary in January 1991. The DUE criteria were designed to assure appropriate drug use, educate physicians, and establish an effective way to monitor drug use and patient outcome (ie, response rate and complications). The criteria include a mechanism for evaluation and modification of the guidelines, as necessary. In addition, a review process will be used to determine the therapy's cost effectiveness and to serve as a guideline for making recommendations on other surfactant formulations as they become available.