To Oral Therapy Mary Ross, R.Ph. Internally Reviewed Converting patients from intravenous to oral therapy as soon as possible is advantageous and more convenient to the patient and nursing staff, as well as being more cost effective. Nurses, pharmacists and physicians can collaborate to identify potential candidates for conversion from intravenous to oral therapy, thereby providing patients with cost-effective alternatives when appropriate. Rationale For Transition From IV To PO Added convenience of the patient-increased mobility and comfort. Oral medications are less expensive than intravenous medications and have fewer hidden costs.
Oral medications require less nursing and pharmacy preparation and administration time.
Converting to an oral medication earlier in therapy may decrease the patient's length of stay Candidates For Conversion Patient has a condition treatable by an oral form of the medication. Conversion Not Recommended Patient is critically ill or patient's condition is deteriorating. Patient is on a protocol or study which specifies the IV form of the medication. Patient has uncontrolled nausea or vomiting. Administration of oral medications by established feeding tube is not possible or advisable.