HOW TO TIE A DRUG-THERAPY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO PHYSICIAN CREDENTIALING

The pharmacy staff and the management information system specialist at St. James Hospital and Health Centers, a 472-bed community medical ce nter located in Chicago Heights, Illinois, developed a computer progra m for documenting the drug use patterns of physicians. This program wa s not only helpful in improving the appropriate use of medications wit hin the institution, it was also tied to the prescriber credentialing process. How the program evolved as well as the cost savings/cost avoi dance achieved as a result of the drug therapy improvement process is presented.