Drug Use, a Valid Indicator of Effective Implementation of Medical Protocols

Abstract

The effectiveness of pharmacological therapies is supported and guaranteed by medical protocols, which are the result of long-lasting experiments and scientific research, of course adapted to the level of competence and functional capacity of the healthcare provider. Besides pharmacological effectiveness, the therapeutic regimens should be evaluated from the point of view of economic efficiency, by assessing the financial impact of drug consumption, in correlation with other indicators specific to medical management. A retrospective comparative study of drug used in a surgical section with a capacity of 25 beds, from a county hospital is described. Study objective was to identify the relationship of influence and determination between costs with drugs and other economic and financial indicators and the use of services; objectively evaluate the effectiveness of the protocols used to limit the development of antibiotic resistance, avoiding polypharmacy and improving costs related to drug use, but especially to determine the existence of deviations from these and generating causes. The implementation of medical protocols has led to a decrease in drug costs. Tracking drug use is an effective tool to increase the quality of medical services by avoiding polypharmacy, therapeutic errors and preventing the development of antibiotic resistance. All these aspects are supported by the implementation of medical protocols and, thus, drug use can be appreciated as a valid indicator of their effectiveness and efficiency.