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. 2009 Mar 15;7(2):81–87. doi: 10.4321/s1886-36552009000200003

Table 3.

Cost saving and cost avoidance classified by interventions (Study group)

Intervention No. of Interventions n = 127 (%) Cost Saving (USD) Cost Avoidance (USD) Total cost Saved and avoided (USD)
Missing required information on written prescriptions/orders 33 (25.98) -306.28 -18.02 -324.30
Team initiated request for help (e.g. drug storage, compatibility, etc.) 27 (21.26) 0.00 -8.48 -8.48
Adjust dose per renal dosing guideline 20 (15.75) -599.97 -167.98 -767.95
Drug-drug interactions 10 (7.87) 0.00 -12.72 -12.72
Recommend antibiotic coverage (empiric therapy, change or discontinue after culture and sensitivity result, and length of therapy) 10 (7.87) -875.42 -14.31 -889.72
Recommend supplement therapy (e.g. K, Mg, Ca) 9 (7.09) 30.24 -16.96 13.28
Inappropriate schedule, dose, rate, or frequency prescribed for indication 7 (5.51) -69.53 -38.15 -107.68
TPN/Enteral nutrition monitoring/intervention 3 (2.36) 9.96 -0.53 9.43
Recommend switching route of administration as appropriate (e.g. IV to PO when NG out) 2 (1.57) -160.43 0.00 -160.43
Recommend to check laboratory for appropriate therapy 2 (1.57) 0.00 -5.83 -5.83
Recommend stopping contraindicated drugs 1 (0.79) 0.00 -0.53 -0.53
Wrong unit of measure (e.g. mg instead of mcg) 1 (0.79) 0.00 -5.30 -5.30
Miscellaneous 2 (1.57) 0.00 -5.83 -5.83
Total 127 (100) -1,971.43 -294.62 -2,266.05

- indicated decrease cost of drug therapy