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Published on: November 9, 2016
Oral Versus Intravenous Medications for Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Neonates: A Cost-Saving
Objective:
The purpose of the study was to quantify cost savings after promoting oral pharmacotherapy for the treatment of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).
Methods:
This was a retrospective before-and-after time series quality improvement study. Oral ibuprofen and acetaminophen use criteria were developed and recommended, rather than the more costly intravenous equivalents. There were 24-month medication use reports generated for both the pre-criteria (Era-1) and the post-criteria (Era-2) implementation phases to identify neonates prescribed hsPDA medications in order to assess cost differences.
Results:
Era-1 had 190 treatment courses in 110 neonates for a total medication cost of $171,260.70. Era-2 had 210 courses in 109 patients for a total medication cost of $47,461.49, yielding savings of $123,799.21 ($61,899.61 annually) after criteria implementation. The reduction in intravenous ibuprofen use in Era-2 accounted for all the savings.
Conclusion:
Preferentially prescribing lower-cost oral medications to treat hsPDA led to significant cost savings.
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