Knowledge of hospital acquisition costs of antibiotics among physicians in a community hospital

Purpose: Cost-conscious prescribing requires that physicians be knowledgeable about drug costs. A cost card was used as the primary method of educating physicians about antibiotic costs in this facility. A survey was conducted to determine physicians' knowledge of the acquisition costs of antibiotics and to assess the effectiveness of the cost card as an educational tool. Methods: Surveys were sent to 433 physicians in the departments of medicine and surgery. Physicians were asked to designate a hospital cost range for 25 antibiotics on formulary. Percentages of correct responses were determined for all antibiotics. Physicians were also asked a series of questions about their sources of drug cost information and whether they believed that this information was sufficient. Results: The average percentage of correct answers to the antibiotic cost questions was 31.7%. Of physicians surveyed, 53% felt that they did not receive enough information regarding drug costs and 57% felt that it would be helpful to have more frequent cost updates. Conclusions: Despite efforts to provide antibiotic cost information via a cost card, physicians for the most part are not cognizant of antibiotic costs. Physicians are aware that they lack knowledge about the cost of these drugs and desire further information and education. Educational initiatives will be implemented to facilitate cost-conscious prescribing.