Promoting the cost-effective utilization of cefoxitin with a drug use education program.

Concerns about cost containment in the health care industry have caused many hospital P & T Committees to focus on developing measures for curtailing drug costs, and antibiotics have been a principal area of this focus focus. The development of an educationally based program created to bring an awareness to physicians regarding the cost-effective use of specific antibiotics is described. The program, entitled a Drug Use Education (DUE) Program, began with development of specific criteria for utilization of cefoxitin sodium (Mefoxin). Subsequently, concurrent monitoring of all cefoxitin usage was initiated and its effectiveness evaluated. The DUE program was effective in significantly altering the use of cefoxitin and had a positive impact on overall parenteral antibiotic use.