IMPACT OF A CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETIC SERVICE ON PATIENTS TREATED WITH AMINOGLYCOSIDES - A COST-BENEFIT-ANALYSIS

In a prospective, randomized study, 75 adults receiving aminogly-cosides were followed by a clinical pharmacokinetic service and 70 followed as controls. The two groups were similar in age, gender, height, and APACHE II score. A cost-to-charge ratio was used to derive direct costs of hospitalization and calculate cost-benefit. Excluded from this comparison were patients with incomplete acceptance of pharmacokinetic service recommendations and patients followed by other clinical pharmacists. Pharmacokinetic service patients had shorter hospitalizations (322.67 ± 270.28 h; controls 442.89 ± 536.81, p = 0.087) and febrile periods (50.05 ± 79.38 h; controls 92.23 ± 122.50, p < 0.05). More pharmacokinetic service patients had adequate peak levels. Pharmacokinetic service direct costs were lower (7,102.56 ± 9,898.19; controls 13,758.64 ± 22,874.31, p < 0.05). Calculated direct cost of the service was 85.00/patient. Annual savings for 500 patients is 2,220,540.00. © 1990 Raven Press, Ltd., New York.