Pharmacoeconomics of a pharmacist-managed program for automatically converting levofloxacin route from i.v. to oral
Abstract
The economic and clinical outcomes of a pharmacist-managed proactive program that used predetermined clinical criteria for converting levofloxacin therapy from i.v. to oral without physician approval were examined. A prospective observational study (POS) assessing the standard of care was conducted over two months and was compared with a proactive conversion program (PCP). A cost-minimization analysis was performed from the provider's perspective. The analysis was divided into cost levels 1, 2, and 3. During the POS and PCP, 49 and 82 patients were evaluated, respectively. The percentage of patients meeting conversion criteria in each group was similar (61% POS versus 65% PCP) (p = 0.827). Candidates met criteria for conversion on day 2 in both groups. The average days that conversion occurred during the POS and PCP were days 7 and 3, respectively (p = 0.010). In those patients, the length of stay was significantly shorter for the PCP (6 versus 9.5 days) (p = 0.031). Level-1, level-2, and level-3 costs were significantly less during the PCP than during the POS for patients who met conversion criteria ($77 versus $133, $91 versus $151, and $13,931 versus $17,198, respectively). Two patients in the PCP were switched back to i.v. levofloxacin due to noninfection-related complications. The overall clinical success rate for evaluable conversion candidates was 100% during the PCP. A pharmacist-managed proactive program that used predetermined clinical criteria for converting…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 49 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Ferulic acid regulates the AKT/GSK-3β/CRMP-2 signaling pathway in a middle cerebral artery occlusion animal model
- Novel Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Parameters Quantify the Exposure–Effect Relationship of Levofloxacin against Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli
- Photochemical behavior of levofloxacin
- Correlation Between Dissolution Profiles of Salt-Form Drugs in Biorelevant Bicarbonate Buffer and Oral Drug Absorption: Importance of Dose/ Fluid Volume Ratio
- Evaluation of the synergistic potential and mechanisms of action for de novo designed cationic antimicrobial peptides
- Synthesis of [11C]levofloxacin
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.