Therapeutic monitoring of aminoglycoside treatment. the value of early clinical contact
Olesen, B.; Frimodt-Møller, N.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 153(23): 1651-1652
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 2058028 Document Number: 377627
For several years, in the Microbiological Department of Bispebjerg Hospital, it has been the routine practice that the clinical departments were contacted in connection with every sample sent for determination of aminoglycoside. During a period of 14 weeks a prospective investigation of the effect of this practice was carried out. During this period, the department received a total of 77 samples from 60 patients. Concerning 20 of these (26%), no arrangement with the department concerned could be demonstrated. The commonest causes were that the aminoglycoside treatment had been suspended at the time of taking the sample by the department concerned (14), that the sample had been taken too early (2) and the sample was not relevant (2). Considerable uncertainty reigned in the clinical departments about the exact time of taking the sample in relation to administration of antibiotics. Greater attention to these circumstances and possibly altered procedures concerning taking of samples would be useful changes. The annual saving for the department amounts to approximately 14,000 Danish crowns (approximately 1,000 pounds) but the most important advantage is considered to be early clinical contact and thus greater possibilities for therapeutic monitoring.