Impact of the "Plan de Invierno" strategy and the use of medicines in the Paediatric Hospital at the Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR)

Abstract

Introduction: A strategy called Plan de Invierno was developed between May and September of 1999 in order to improve the attention at the Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell on children affected by low respiratory tract infections.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of this strategy on the spending related to the purchase of antibiotics (ATB), bronchodilators (2agonists) and corticosteroids in the Paediatric Hospital.
Methods: Numbers of consumed units and money spent on ATB, (2agonistas) and corticosteroids were compared during the periods of January to September of 1998 and January to September of 1999. Data were obtained from the hospital clinical pharmacy.
Results: During the period January - September of 1999, the spending was lower than during the period January - September 1998 (28.6% and 37.6% respectively). Spending on ATB and corticosteroids diminished in the general paediatric service (GP) and in the intensive paediatric care unit (UCIN). Spending related to ?2 agonists diminished only at the UCIN. Bed/day spending (DCO) on ATB decreased at the GP but was increased at the UCIN.
Conclusions: Following of the recommended therapeutic guidelines and the improvement of quality of diagnoses performed during the period of this assistance strategy probably contributed to reduce ATB, ?2 agonists, and expenses.