Contribution of clinical pharmacists to cefazolin utilization

Cefazolin utilization guidelines were established by representatives of major participants in the patient care process in a 520-bed teaching hospital. Patients admitted to certain hospital units and placed on cefazolin therapy were concurrently monitored for compliance with guidelines by clinical pharmacists (experimental group), while patients admitted to similar units were not monitored for guideline compliance (control group). When therapy, in the experimental group, was deemed noncompliant to the established guidelines, the pharmacist alerted the physician and made recommendations to correct the deficiency. The percent increase in compliance with guidelines attributed to clinical pharmacist intervention was then measured. Clinical pharmacy monitoring for the experimental group increased the rate of compliance with guidelines and decreased the overall cost of patient care. The projected net annual savings in cefazolin cost was calculated to be $7,913.00.