Physicians

Jason Rodich, M.D., is just finishing his rounds when his pager goes off. Upon examination of the screen, he sees that the hospital pharmacy is trying to reach him. He calls Sally Thompson, PharmD, who informs him that Sam Trout, a 79 year old patient, has a significantly elevated INR due to an antibiotic recently started for pneumonia complicated by a slightly elevated ceatinine caused by dehydration. Dr. Rodich checks on the patient and writes a hold order, followed by an order for a lower dosage of warfarin, increased fluids, and a repeat INR.

Dr. Rodich's quick response prevents what could have become an adverse drug event. His timely action was due to the Dynamic PharmacoVigilanceŽ Module (DPV), which identified the event and its cause, and automatically notified the pharmacist when this emerging adverse clinical situation occurred. DPV works actively and around the clock to monitor all hospital patients using hundreds of clinical rules that compare drug and lab parameters and issue warnings and alerts when an emerging, adverse drug event is detected.

Round the Clock Surveillance

In the hospital setting, situations like these happen every day. Abnormal lab results and conflicting drug combinations are all too often noted only after an adverse drug event occurs. The failure to act in a timely fashion could have dire consequences-to the patient, to the physician and to the hospital.