Need for uniform data elements in hospital drug use review

The need of a nationwide system of drug use review (DUR) in hospitals is discussed. Many drugs important in terms of both potential adverse effects and cost (e.g., aminoglycosides and heparin) are used primarily in hospitals, a setting for which nationwide data on key elements of use and prescribing are not available. A main problem is one of logistics, stemming primarily from a lack of uniformity in how drug information is recorded. Since data collection and organization are pivotal prerequisites for drug use review, there is a need for standardization in data collection if data from various institutions are to be compared. Uniform data elements are proposed that would allow for national tabulations and estimates, which could provide the normative data critical to both drug use review and drug epidemiology.