Implementation and evaluation of a multisite drug usage evaluation program across Australian hospitals - a quality improvement initiative.

ABSTRACT:

Background

With the use of medicines being a broad and extensive part of health management, mechanisms to ensure quality use of medicines are essential. Drug usage evaluation (DUE) is an evidence-based quality improvement methodology, designed to improve the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of drug use. The purpose of this paper is to describe a national DUE methodology used to improve health care delivery across the continuum through multi-faceted intervention involving audit and feedback, academic detailing and system change, and a qualitative assessment of the methodology, as illustrated by the Acute Postoperative Pain Management (APOP) project.

Methods

An established methodology, consisting of a baseline audit of inpatient medical records, structured patient interv

SUBMITTER: Pulver LK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3182891 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature