Improving Decision Outcomes of Drug and Therapeutics Committees

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the activities of the Drug and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) in Australian hospitals, a survey was conducted to determine the performance indicators being used, the application of the collected indicator data, barriers to indicator use, principal function of the DTC and resources available to the DTC.Method: A questionnaire was sent to 300 Directors of Pharmacy in Australian hospitals. The questionnaire could be returned via reply‐paid envelope or fax. Those not responding within two weeks of mail‐out were followed‐up. Returned questionnaires were de‐identified, collated and analysed.Results: The response rate was 73.3%. Of these, 127 had an in‐house DTC. The final dataset comprised 125 responses (two incomplete questionnaires excluded). The most common principal function of DTCs was ‘ensuring patient safety’ (84%). Only 16% of respondents used indicators developed specifically for DTC performance evaluation. Data collected were primarily for accreditation.Conclusion: There are barriers to fully utilising available performance indicators. Most indicator data collected are for accreditation purposes. Generally, there are a lack of resources available to support DTC operations. This may have contributed to barriers to indicator use. DTC principal functions have expanded beyond those of formulary management.