Reducing lost drug charges by monitoring computer-generated interdepartmental transfers.

The use of computerized interdepartmental transfer records to identify lost drug charges and a program to capture those charges are described. All charges for medications ordered on floor-stock requisitions for the operating room and various intensive-care units in a 400-bed hospital were entered into the pharmacy's computer. Medications ordered on requisitions that were not stamped with a specific patient's name were charged to the patient-care unit using the computer's interdepartmental transfer program. Computer reports itemizing these charges indicated that over $5100 per month was being lost, approximately half of which originated from the operating room. To reduce lost charges, an improved method of drug-inventory control was implemented in the operating room, and two nurses were hired to coordinate the drug-distribution system in this area. In addition, nurses in other intensive-care units were informed about the liabilities associated with failure to charge for medications, and incentive programs were developed to improve compliance with these procedures. During the first six months after implementation of these measures, monthly lost charges were reduced by a mean of 86%. The use of computerized interdepartmental transfer records to identify lost pharmacy charges may help to justify the cost of computer systems.