TY  - JOUR
AB  - Gentamicin is one of the most frequently used antibiotics in neonatal units and there are many regimes in use based on weight and/or gestational age (GA). Direct costs include prescription and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). A retrospective audit (loop 1) identified 48 per cent trough and 51 per cent peak levels outside the desirable range (trough: ≤2; peak: 5‐10 mg/L). A prospective re‐audit (loop 2) showed improved results (15 per cent and 29 per cent), which improved further (11 per cent and 26 per cent) in loop 3. For loops 1, 2, and 3 the mean (±SD) trough levels were 2.16 (±1.04), 1.30 (± 0.63) and 1.23 (±0.62) respectively and peak levels were 5.05 (±1.87), 6.64 (±2.48), and 6.2 (±1.81) respectively. Cost savings occurred as the number of doses required was reduced by one‐third to 50 per cent, depending upon the infant characteristics. Furthermore, in 27 per cent of cases, gentamicin was discontinued before TDM was necessary. By completing the audit cycle improved quality of therapeutic care has been achieved, with more accurate drug monitoring targets achieved and reduced drug costs.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
SN  - 1477-7274
DO  - 10.1108/14777270410566643
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/14777270410566643
AU  - Bhatt Jayesh
AU  - Nye Christine
AU  - Kirkbride Vincent
PY  - 2004
Y1  - 2004/01/01
TI  - Quality and cost improvement in neonatal prescribing through clinical audit
T2  - Clinical Governance: An International Journal
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 232
EP  - 236
Y2  - 2024/04/24
ER  -