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Updated: May 24, 2026
11:17
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Antibiotic therapeutic interchange program: six years of experience
L Frighetto1, D Nickoloff, P Jewesson
1Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, B.C.
Hospital Formulary
|February 1, 1995
Summary
A therapeutic interchange program significantly reduced antimicrobial drug use, decreasing interchanges by 21% and saving over $1 million. This demonstrates a cost-effective method for optimizing antimicrobial prescribing patterns.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Therapeutic interchange programs are strategies to optimize drug utilization and control costs.
- Antimicrobial resistance necessitates effective stewardship programs to guide prescribing practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term impact of a therapeutic interchange program on antimicrobial drug use.
- To assess the economic impact and prescriber acceptance of the program.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of drug utilization data at a Canadian tertiary care teaching hospital.
- Evaluation of target drug utilization, therapeutic interchange incidence, and patient drug exposures over 6 years.
Main Results:
- The incidence of therapeutic interchanges per patient-target drug exposure decreased from 23% to 2%.
- The program resulted in total net savings of approximately $1.07 million (Canadian) for target antimicrobial drugs over 6 years.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic interchange programs are effective in reducing the utilization of target antimicrobial drugs.
- High prescriber acceptance and low manpower needs make this an efficient method for altering prescribing patterns and reducing healthcare costs.
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