New medication technology trail at Redcliffe Hospital

Redcliffe Hospital is piloting a new way to prescribe the exact doses of medications that patients need.

The trial makes use of a new technology that allows pharmacists to more accurately calculate the exact dose that each patient needs of the powerful antibiotic, Vancomycin.

Assistant Pharmacy Director Liz Hayward said that the new method means patients receive an individualised dose based on how their body is processing the drug, lessening risks of adverse effects or inadequate dosages.

Liz says the trial of the DoseMe technology at Redcliffe was a first in the Metro North Health.

“The trial is being led by a partnership with Pharmacy and the Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Stewardship team here at Redcliffe,” Liz said.

“It’s something that we know is being followed closely by other hospitals too, both in Queensland, across Australia, and internationally.”

Liz said the new technology used data and computer modelling combined with blood test results to determine the right dose for that patient.

“Previously, that calculation was a manual one. While that’s a good method, it is not as fine-tuned for the individual different patient factors we see.”

The trial at Redcliffe Hospital has been underway for around a year now, with patient outcomes showing good results.

Liz said the results of the trial to date were encouraging, with 50 per cent fewer patients experiencing kidney issues as a result of Vancomycin, and of those who do experience issues, they are of a lower severity than before.

“The results are also indicating that patients are getting the therapeutic benefit of the medication sooner too,” Liz said.

Redcliffe Hospital Pharmacy Director Ann Whitaker said that along with reducing the risk of patient harm and helping patients to get better sooner, the trial had other benefits too.

“The new technology has easily paid for itself financially,” Ann said.

“A preliminary cost/benefit analysis suggests a potential annualised cost saving to the Redcliffe service of up to $355,000, by moving to the new method.”

“Our priority though is always about making patient care and medication use safer, and we’re continually seeking new ways of helping us to do that.”

Ann said that with the good results the Redcliffe trial had achieved, the team was looking forward to assisting other hospitals to rollout the technology.