Improvements in a program to convert i.v. to oral medications at an academic medical center

Results of a study to implement targeted interventions to increase the number of documented i.v.-to-oral conversions and to increase cost savings from these documented conversions are reported.

A before-and-after analysis of i.v.-to-oral conversions at an academic medical center following the addition of targeted interventions to an existing pharmacist-initiated conversion program was conducted. Targeted interventions included staff training on i.v.-to-oral conversions, implementation of a new documentation system, and feedback to the staff. Major outcomes studied included the total number of i.v.-to-oral conversions documented per month and the cost savings generated by these conversions.

The mean ± S.D. number of i.v.-to-oral conversions documented per month significantly increased after the implementation of targeted interventions (25 ± 9 before and 57 ± 6 after implementation, p < 0.0001). There was a nonsignificant increase in cost savings generated per month after implementation of the interventions. The most commonly converted medication was pantoprazole. Conversions of levetiracetam generated the highest cost savings.

Addition of several targeted interventions to an existing pharmacist-initiated i.v.-to-oral conversion program led to a significant increase in the total number of documented conversions.