Criteria-based antimicrobial i.v. to oral conversion program

Collaborative efforts among several departments and the P & T Committee resulted in an IV to oral conversion program for select antimicrobials in our 580-bed county teaching hospital. This criteria-based program was designed to monitor and educate physicians on the appropriateness of parenteral antimicrobial prescribing, ensure rapid transition from IV to oral therapy, and contain costs. In the first 2 months of the program, 78 patients were converted from IV to oral administration with an estimated savings of $12,935. Of the ordering physicians, 66 (84.6%) accepted the interventions. All patients who switched administration routes were successfully treated with an oral agent. This program also has had a positive effect on patient outcomes and physician prescribing habits.