PROGRAMS PROMOTING TIMELY SEQUENTIAL ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY - AN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

Interventional programs promoting the. timely conversion of intravenou s to oral antimicrobial therapy have been reported from several hospit als in the U.S.A. and elsewhere. Factors influencing the initiation an d conduct of these programs include technological advances, changes in health care delivery or reimbursement, publication of supportive clin ical data and growth of clinical pharmacy services. Successful program s employ comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategies to contain antimi crobial-related expenditures using interventions based on structured c riteria. Future emphasis on cost-effective drug therapy, advances in c omputer-based information technology and development of care maps can have favourable influences on the growth of these programs in the U.S. A.