Comprehensive pharmaceutical services in an 85-bed hospital: a one-year evaluation

The economics of a comprehensive pharmaceutical service in a small hospital was evaluated. The pharmacy program includes total unit dose drug distribution, centralized compounding of intravenous admixtures, and clinical involvement. Data were collected for two fiscal years prior to the development of formal pharmaceutical services (FY 72-73 and FY 73-74), the fiscal year during the implementation phase (FY 74-75) and the fiscal year following full development (FY 75-76). The total cost of the pharmaceutical services for FY 75-76 was $5.66 per patient day, a 106% increase over the previous year. The revenue per patient day in FY 75-76 was $7.77, a 72% increase over FY 74-75. Inventory costs decreased during and after implementation of comprehensive pharmaceutical services. The evaluation emphasizes the need for assessing pharmacy programs as an integrated system representative of the service of pharmacy. The need for an equitable method of third party payment for pharmaceutical services is discussed.