Therapeutic exchange of cefotaxime for ceftriaxone: evaluation, implementation, and subsequent cost savings at a 300-bed community hospital.

Switching prescriptions from ceftriaxone to cefotaxime resulted in a decreased pharmacy expenditure of $30,190 within 1 year in a 300-bed community hospital. The cost per patient day of treatment was reduced from $38.85 to $26.98 and led to a total cost avoidance of $47,997.