Creating standard treatment protocols: an analysis of pharmacy charges as an aid in their development.

A method for selecting DRG categories that have the potential for greatest pharmacy cost savings is described for a 400-bed, urban medical center. Seven variables describing the overall hospital costs and the specific pharmacy charges for 252 patients categorized under the four most prevalent DRGs observed over a 7-month period were examined. The DRG for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was found to have the highest mean value for four of the seven variables and thus was selected as the first DRG for which to develop a standard treatment protocol. Preliminary progress in the design of pharmacy services within the standard treatment protocol are discussed.