Cost of computerized drug interaction screening system

Area of Science:

• Pharmacoeconomics
• Health Informatics
• Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

• Computerized drug interaction screening systems are crucial for patient safety in hospitals.
• Evaluating the operational costs of such systems is essential for resource allocation and demonstrating value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the total and per-unit costs of operating a computerized drug interaction screening program.
• To analyze cost-effectiveness based on patient days, drugs dispensed, and interactions detected/prevented.

Main Methods:

• Cost data collection during system development (1975) and a one-year study period (June 1978-June 1979).
• Analysis of total costs categorized by salaries, computer time, database leasing, and supplies.
• Calculation of cost per patient day, per unit dose drug, and per detected interaction.

Main Results:

• The total estimated annual cost of the program was $5,603.02.
• Salaries constituted the largest expense (63%), followed by computer time (17%) and database leasing (16%).
• The cost per drug interaction detected and monitored was $0.51; per patient day was $0.42; per unit dose drug was $0.004.

Conclusions:

• The Pharmacy Automated Drug Interaction Screening system is an inexpensive method for detecting and preventing drug interactions.
• The system demonstrates a favorable cost-benefit ratio, particularly when considering the prevention of adverse events.
• Hospitals can implement such systems cost-effectively to enhance medication safety.