A PHARMACIST-INITIATED PROGRAM OF INTRAVENOUS TO ORAL ANTIBIOTIC CONVERSION

A prospective program to convert patients from parenteral to oral anti biotics was evaluated over 12 months to determine its pharmacoeconomic impact on antibiotic acquisition and length of hospital stay. Physici ans of patients meeting predetermined clinical criteria for mild and m oderate infections were contacted to discuss potential oral alternativ e therapy Clinical end points and economic data were followed in 242 p atients (200 converted and 42 not converted but meeting criteria). No significant differences were noted between the groups with regard to d emographic data, infection diagnosis, clinical outcome, or adverse eff ects. The average number of days of therapy for patients converted was 1.53 days shorter than that of patients who were not converted to ora l therapy (p<0.003). Cost savings for drug acquisition and length of s tay were $15,149.24 and $161,071.88, respectively. The intervention pr ogram appeared to provide a cost-effective conversion from parenteral to oral antimicrobial administration without compromising patient care . It is anticipated that expansion of the program to include additiona l antibiotics will result in even greater cost savings for the institu tion.