Computerised calculation of the true costs of antibiotic therapy.

A system for computerised calculation of the drug costs and hidden costs of antibiotic therapy is described. A previously developed method for costing antibiotic therapy was used to quantify hidden costs arising from intravenous administration, labour, serum antibiotic assays, monitoring of haematological and biochemical indices, and disposal of sharp instruments. These calculations were installed into a software system using spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel/Windows). Cost calculations were simplified as a result of automated calculation with centralised cost updating, a facility for new antibiotics, a facility for atypical regimens, availability to a number of users, password protection and a facility for multiple courses of intravenous antibiotic therapy.