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  • Title: A practice-based approach for converting from proton pump inhibitors to less costly therapy.
    Author: Lucas LM, Gerrity MS, Anderson T.
    Journal: Eff Clin Pract; 2001; 4(6):263-70. PubMed ID: 11769299.
    Abstract:
    CONTEXT: Projected cost for lansoprazole, the formulary proton pump inhibitor (PPI) at our institution, was $1.8 million in 1999. While some patients require PPI therapy, many could control their symptoms with a histamine H2-receptor antagonist blocker (H2 blocker) at a much lower cost. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a practice-based approach to converting patients from PPIs to H2 blockers. DESIGN: Before-after study. SETTING: Portland Veterans Affairs Primary Care Clinics. INTERVENTION: We developed guidelines and educated clinicians about the use of PPIs and H2 blockers. To help physicians convert appropriate patients from PPIs to H2 blockers, we gave them a list of their patients receiving PPIs, form letters for patients explaining the conversion, and structured prescription forms. Patient lists and e-mail reminders, as well as feedback on institutional performance, were sent to clinicians during the intervention period. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of PPI and H2 prescriptions per enrollee and pharmacy costs. RESULTS: The average number of PPI prescriptions per enrollee at our institution decreased from 0.39 in the 9 months before the intervention to 0.27 in the 9 months after the intervention. The associated pharmacy costs decreased from an average of $43 to $28 per enrollee per quarter, a difference of $15 or a savings of $80,000 per quarter. Accounting for the decrease in medication prices during the study, this difference was $11 per patient per quarter, corresponding to a savings of about $60,000 per quarter. With respect to the conversion process, more than 70% of clinicians felt the intervention had a big impact on how they prescribed PPIs and H2 blockers. Eighty-two percent of clinicians converted patients from PPIs to H2 blockers during clinic time; 56% did so during administrative time. Overall, more clinicians considered the intervention to be helpful rather than a hassle. CONCLUSIONS: The number of PPI prescriptions decreased during the intervention and was sustained at least three quarters afterward. This low-intensity, practice-based intervention may serve as a model for other health care systems.
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