Biomedical subjects

J W Main

Publications and source records attributed to J W Main.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Multidimensional work sampling in an outpatient pharmacy.

Multidimensional work sampling was performed at a hospital-based outpatient pharmacy. Data were collected from nine full-time and five part-time pharmacists over a 45-day baseline period. Pharmacists wore silent, random-signal generators that permitted continuous work sampling. We introduced the concept of quick codes to allow pharmacists to record their work using a single letter for repetitive activities. Pharmacists recorded 4,687 observations, 90 percent using quick codes. The most common activity was checking prescriptions (36.2 percent). Detection and correction of prescribing errors was the most common reason for their work (39.4 percent). Most work-related activities were performed alone (80 percent) with little time in contact with patients or physicians. These baseline measures will be compared with future measures to assess the effect of the implementation of computerized prospective drug utilization review and clinical treatment guidelines on pharmacists' work. It is expected that these technologic and process changes will increase opportunities for pharmacists to educate patients and consult with physicians.

Classification↗

PubMed1988

Effect of a targeted antibiotic advisory consult program on hospital antibiotic costs.

The purpose of this 3-year study was to determine whether or not an antibiotic control program, designed by the P & T Committee, would affect the cost of antibiotics to this 473-bed general medical-surgical teaching hospital. Physician consultants from different clinical departments discussed each use of targeted antibiotics with prescribing physicians. Compared with the preprogram year, cost savings of $46,869 during the first program year, and $73,212 during the second program year were achieved. Many factors were taken into account before arriving at these figures, including cost analysis of both targeted and nontargeted antibiotics, impact of price changes, administration costs, and changes in hospital census. The authors conclude that in the absence of cost inflation, antibiotic costs would have risen considerably due to price escalation, but in the face of antibiotic controls, a modest cost savings over the 2 years analyzed was actually realized.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1988

Attitudes of house physicians concerning various antibiotic-use control programs.

Medical and surgical house physicians at three teaching hospitals with different antibiotic control programs (ACPs) were surveyed to determine their attitudes about and preferences for these programs. Questionnaires were mailed to resident physicians who had trained at all three hospitals. One hospital had no antibiotic prescribing policy (open prescribing), one employed an infectious-disease physician consultant who discussed antibiotic orders for certain reserved drugs with prescribing physicians but did not otherwise restrict access to the drugs (educational ACP), and the third hospital required approval of an infectious-disease physician for dispensing of reserved drugs by the pharmacy department (restrictive ACP). The survey response was 77% after one follow-up mailing to nonrespondents. Regardless of hospital type, physicians preferred the educational ACP to either open prescribing or the restrictive ACP. Based on personal experiences, significantly fewer physicians encountered patient-care problems with the educational ACP than with either open antibiotic prescribing or the restrictive ACP. Significantly more physicians perceived that the educational ACP was more beneficial for patient antibiotic therapy and will be more beneficial for future antibiotic prescribing than the restrictive ACP. Most respondents believed that ACPs save hospitals money, that ACPs can be implemented without compromising either patient care or physician performance, and that they would encounter similar ACPs in the future. Educational ACPs should be considered at teaching hospitals with interested infectious-disease consultants.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗