Antibiotic use review using the "target drug" method

The "target drug" method was implemented to study the use of cefamandole and cefoxitin in a community hospital. There were no infectious disease specialists on staff, and restrictions on the use of individual agents was not a viable option for antibiotic control in this institution. Data was collected by the pharmacy staff and presented by the clinical pharmacy coordinator to individual medical specialties under the auspices of the P & T Committee. Appropriate literature was provided and discussed promoting the use of cefazolin in place of cefamandole and cefoxitin. As a result, cefamandole and cefoxitin use was reduced 41% and 12%, respectively, and cefazolin use increased fourfold. Net annual cost savings were in excess of $40,000, with costs of the pharmacists' time estimated to be $4,000.