How do drug therapeutic guidelines work?

Here, we use the Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) model to explain how some of the responsibilities are carried out. Drug therapeutic guidelines are lists of the indications, dosage regimens, duration of therapy, modes of administration, monitoring parameters, and special considerations for use of a specific medication or medication class. These guidelines exist to aid prescribers to make decisions.

At TVGH, the drug therapeutic guideline is incorporated into the prescribing system, and warning screens display when the prescription does not adhere to such guidelines.

This reminds physicians about potential issues

• Drug allergy
• Adverse drug reactions
• Wrong dosage form
• Incompatible antibiotics

The PTC is responsible for medication administration processes. Thus, it is their duty to develop various drug use guidelines. They determine what medications are administered in specific locations or under specific conditions.

The PTC must communicate its actions to other medical staff, usually in the form of a newsletter. It may contain the PTC’s decisions, clinical information on drugs added to the formulary, drug therapy guideline developed and medication safety information available. It is important for the newsletter to be visually pleasing and easy to follow. Optimally, it should be limited to 2 to 4 pages in length.

Other venues to communicate PTC decisions include medical department meetings, nursing unit meetings & pharmacy meetings. Emails may be useful as well.

Communication at TVGH:

TVGH also utilises bulletin boards, emails, pharmacy journals, and even video recordings (DVD). All medication information will be updated on the TVGH website for medical professionals and public. TVGH also provides online counseling services and medication information kiosks to patients.

Share and learn:

What forms of communication does your PTC use?

What are some examples of location/condition restricted drugs in your hospital?