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Biomedical subjects

D A Caselnova

Publications and source records attributed to D A Caselnova.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Overestimating clinical functions of distributive staff pharmacists.

An unexpected outcome was obtained when an evaluation of the clinical functions performed by distributive staff pharmacists was completed. A random survey of clinical functions was completed by using a pharmacist activity log sheet. Direct observations made by pharmacy administration and information received through discussions with the staff pharmacists, over-estimated the actual amount of time being spent on clinical functions. Use of an integrated approach to pharmacy services requires that enough time for both distributive activities and clinical activities be appropriately balanced to assure effective intervention. PRN clinical pharmacy functions will produce sub-optimal results and negative long-term effects for the profession. Pharmacy administrators must prospectively monitor the clinical activities performed by members of their integrated staff and assure that adequate time is available for effective intervention in the drug use process. Subjective observations and information may not reflect the actual situation and should be considered extremely inaccurate.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1986

Cost savings achieved through cephalosporin use review and restriction.

Attempts to control costs associated with antimicrobial therapy and surgical prophylaxis with injectable cephalosporins in a 335-bed, acute-care, county teaching hospital are described. An ABC analysis of our pharmacy inventory revealed that 11.8% of the annual pharmaceutical budget was represented by cefamandole and that this agent was used primarily for surgical prophylaxis. Initial attempts to replace cefamandole with cefuroxime met with unexpected resistance from the department of surgery and were unsuccessful. A cost analysis revealed that annual savings in supply and personnel costs of $115,819 could be realized if cefazolin were substituted for cefamandole. Substitution of cefazolin resulted in an additional cost savings of $40,000 above our original proposal involving cefuroxime. Persistent efforts of the department of pharmacy aided the effective implementation of this alteration in cephalosporin prescribing practices.

Cephalosporins↗
PubMed1985

Implementing clinical pharmacy services in an outpatient oncology clinic.

The implementation of clinical pharmacy services in an outpatient oncology clinic is described. An oncologist hired by the department of internal medicine and the director of the department of pharmacy designed the program. Both departments agreed that the pharmacists should have central responsibility for the antineoplastic agents. Pharmacists for the program were selected from the existing staff. They were trained in an established i.v. therapy certification course offered by the hospital. The biweekly clinics are staffed by a team consisting of two pharmacists, three nurses, two faculty physicians, and a rotating resident physician. The pharmacists provide clinical and distributive services including patient monitoring and medication storage, delivery, preparation, administration, and disposal. A survey showed that the pharmacists were well accepted by the other members of the team. After a trial period, principles of break-even analysis and differential accounting were used to justify the costs of the program. This program will remain an integral part of this hospital's pharmaceutical services.

Antineoplastic Agents↗