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Antibiotic use review using the "target drug" method.
Hospital Formulary
|April 10, 1987
Summary
A targeted drug program reduced cefamandole and cefoxitin use by 41% and 12% respectively, increasing cefazolin use and saving over $40,000 annually in a community hospital.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Hospital Pharmacy
Background:
- Community hospitals may lack infectious disease specialists, necessitating alternative antibiotic control strategies.
- Restrictions on individual antibiotic agents may not be feasible in all institutional settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a "target drug" program in optimizing antibiotic use.
- To promote the use of cefazolin over cefamandole and cefoxitin.
- To assess the economic impact of the intervention.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a "target drug" program focused on cefazolin.
- Pharmacy staff collected antibiotic utilization data.
- Clinical pharmacy coordinator presented data and literature to medical specialties via the P & T Committee.
- Promoted cefazolin as a preferred alternative to cefamandole and cefoxitin.
Main Results:
- Cefamandole use decreased by 41%.
- Cefoxitin use decreased by 12%.
- Cefazolin use increased fourfold.
- Achieved net annual cost savings exceeding $40,000.
Conclusions:
- A "target drug" program can effectively reduce the use of targeted antibiotics and promote preferred alternatives.
- This intervention led to significant cost savings in a community hospital setting.
- Clinical pharmacy involvement is crucial for successful antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.