Intervention to Discontinue Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in Patients Hospitalized with Pulmonary Infections: Effect on Shortening Patient Stay

Abstract

The major cost-saving potential for shifting from parenteral to oral antimicrobial therapy is shortened length of stay. Timely information about alternative drug therapies, offered on a patient-specific basis, appears to modify the treating behavior of physicians. The program as currently conducted is cost-effective, with an estimated net savings of $50,000 per 100 interventions.