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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. 701 Congressional Blvd., Suite 360 • Carmel, Indiana 46032 • (800) 856-1948 • www.orchardanalytics.com