Impact of a clinical pharmacokinetic service on patients treated with aminoglycosides: a cost-benefit analysis

Abstract

In a prospective, randomized study, 75 adults receiving aminoglycosides 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 less than 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 less than 0.05). Calculated direct cost of the service was $85.00/patient. Annual savings for 500 patients is $2,220,540.00.