Economic impact of pharmacist interventions in pediatric ambulatory care clinics

Ambulatory care pharmacists have a unique opportunity to identify and prevent adverse drug events (ADEs) throughout a patient's treatment course. These interventions can reduce unexpected clinic visits or hospitalizations, which may lead to decreased health care costs. However, research on this topic has not been conducted in the pediatric population. This study explored the economic impact of pharmacist interventions related to ADEs in pediatric ambulatory care clinics. The primary objective was to determine the total cost avoidance of pharmacist interventions associated with the prevention or management of ADEs in pediatric ambulatory care clinics. The secondary objectives were to describe and quantify pharmacist interventions related to the prevention and management of ADEs in pediatric ambulatory care clinics.

Pharmacist interventions from pediatric ambulatory care clinics were collected from an electronic health record. These interventions were categorized into 1 of 4 categories: Drug interaction, drug not indicated, prevent or manage ADE, or prevent or manage drug allergy. A review panel consisting of ambulatory care pharmacists reviewed the interventions. The expected probability of the event occurring was classified according to the Nesbit method (0-0.6), and the level of care necessary to treat the potential ADE was determined. The levels of care included hospitalization, ambulatory care, and self-care. The cost avoidance associated with each prevented ADE was calculated by multiplying the probability of the ADE occurring by the average charge of the expected level of care.

Of the 8755 interventions documented, 212 were included, leading to a total cost avoidance of $307,210 (range $76,802-$1,071,053). The estimated cost avoidance from each ADE subtype was $128,283 from drug interaction, $20,727 from drug not indicated, $157,993 from prevent or manage ADE, and $207 from prevent or manage drug allergy.

Pediatric ambulatory care pharmacists optimize health care cost savings through the prevention and management of ADEs as integrated members of the health care team.