Cost savings with a new combination clindamycin-gentamicin admixture policy

Clindamycin and gentamicin are frequently prescribed by obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYN) for various pelvic infections in women. These two antibiotics maintain chemical stability when admixed in a small-volume parenteral. The institution of an admixture policy that recommends combining these agents when both drugs are prescribed in OB-GYN patients would decrease the frequency of administration, improve patient convenience, reduce risk of administration errors and intravenous line contamination, and reduce costs of antibiotic therapy. The authors analyzed antibiotic use in OB-GYN patients over a 3-month period and found that the anticipated cost savings appeared sufficient to warrant an admixture policy change. Six months after initiating the new policy, the authors found an increase in the use of clindamycin and gentamicin, but a decrease in the overall cost for providing antibiotic therapy to OB-GYN patients. Savings for the second quarter were due to the pharmacy providing less expensive clindamycin-gentamicin therapy.