OPTIMIZING H-2 ANTAGONIST USE THROUGH AN IV-TO-ORAL CONVERSION PROGRAM

The author's institution decided to improve its management of H-2 anta gonist use by concentrating on maximizing timely IV-to-oral conversion of two medications rather than driving use of a single preferred agen t. After more modest initiatives failed to yield sufficient rates of I V-to-oral conversion in appropriate patients, the institution implemen ted a program in which pharmacists monitor patients on IV H-2 antagoni sts and automatically switch them to oral formulations when appropriat e. This article describes the program's rationale and reports its resu lts.