Currently, there is a 100 patient caseload. Physicians write an order for an ambulatory patient to be monitored by a pharmacist in the clinic. This written order gives the pharmacist the authority to order lab tests, change dosages, monitor outcomes, and counsel patients as needed in the drug therapy.
Warfarin is the main drug monitored.
Clozaril, aminoglycosides, anticonvulsants, and complex therapies are also followed by the pharmacists. This clinic was started six years ago. Initial research was done to show the decrease in cost and hospital visits that resulted from monitoring by a pharmacist. This was presented to the third parties before the services began. Currently, research is being done to update the numbers that show the savings received from monitoring drug therapy.