An approach to cost-effective antibiotic utilization.

For the past several years, the P & T Committee at the Loyola University Medical Center has conducted an extensive, ongoing review of antibiotic utilization. The program has led to the development of more specific drug use guidelines and tighter formulary control, which in turn has resulted in considerable cost savings to the institution. Drugs evaluated to date include vancomycin, antipseudomonal penicillins, aminoglycosides, and broader-spectrum beta-lactams, including the third-generation cephalosporins. A discussion of the review procedures, along with a brief analysis of the therapeutic and cost-effectiveness of each phase of the program, is presented.