Download Analytic Results Summary

ORCHARD ANALYTICS PROVEN RESULTS: PHARMACY/LAB PROJECT
Background
Dr. Brad Brimhall and his team have been involved in numerous collaborative projects at the University
of Mississippi Medical Center combining laboratory data and data from other departments to achieve
organization-wide savings, improve patient outcomes, and increase patient satisfaction. This analytics
project involved collaboration between lab and pharmacy to improve antibiotic stewardship, thereby
improving patient care and decreasing spending on expensive antibiotics.
Situation
Dr. Brimhall and his pharmacy colleagues shared concern about antibiotic stewardship. Specifically, they
wanted to see the data on the frequency of improper therapeutic choices when lab results were available
to guide decision making, and just as importantly the cost of those improper choices for the organization
as a whole. What they found looking at only two drugs was astounding.
Solution
They began the study by taking a more in-depth look at expensive “Gorillacillin” (a slang term for a very
powerful antibiotic) usage. They focused on two of the most expensive antibiotics and discovered a
tremendous cost saving opportunity. Results of microbiology sensitivities were available from the lab to
help determine when it was appropriate to use the most expensive antibiotics. Yet, in order to use that
data to its full potential, they had to combine pharmacy and lab data. In this study, once it was
determined that the bacteria were sensitive to Vancomycin (which is much less expensive), the more
expensive antibiotic could be discontinued.
Analytic Results Summary
In their collaborative study,
Dr. Brimhall and his team uncovered
2,157 unnecessary doses, equal to
$705,877 in variable costs spent on
unnecessary antibiotics. After
subtracting the cost of the Vancomycin
these patients could be switched to, this
project resulted in a $649,665 savings.
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