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Aminoglycoside serum assays restricted through a pharmacy program.
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
|August 1, 1979
Summary
A pharmacy program successfully reduced inappropriate aminoglycoside serum assays by pharmacists intervening when tests lacked clear indications. This intervention ensured appropriate test use and improved patient care outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Pharmacokinetics
- Drug Monitoring
Background:
- Aminoglycoside serum assays are crucial for therapeutic drug monitoring.
- Inappropriate ordering of these assays can lead to unnecessary costs and potential patient harm.
- A structured program is needed to optimize the utilization of aminoglycoside assays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a pharmacy program aimed at reducing the inappropriate use of aminoglycoside serum assays.
- To assess the impact of pharmacist intervention on the appropriateness of ordering and utilizing these assays.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacist review of all ordered aminoglycoside serum assays.
- Intervention by pharmacists to discourage testing when clinical indications were not met.
- Pharmacist guidance on timing of sample collection and pharmacokinetic reporting when tests were appropriate.
Main Results:
- During an 18-month evaluation, 67 tests were ordered for 53 patients.
- Three tests were not performed due to pharmacist recommendations.
- Of 59 evaluated tests, 95% were used appropriately, with 92% of appropriate decisions resulting from pharmacist recommendations.
Conclusions:
- The described pharmacy program effectively prevents problems associated with unrestricted aminoglycoside serum assay use.
- Pharmacist-led interventions significantly improve the appropriate utilization of diagnostic laboratory tests.
- This program serves as a model for optimizing drug monitoring assays in clinical practice.