Comparison of total costs of administering calcium polycarbophil and psyllium mucilloid in an institutional setting. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The total cost of administering calcium polycarbophil per unit dose (two tablets) was compared with that of administering psyllium mucilloid (one packet dissolved in 8 oz of water) in 20 elderly nursing-home residents. Times for printing labels, checking and initialing labels, gathering materials needed, and preparing and administering the medications were recorded during at least 50 observations in each treatment group. Total cost included nurses' and pharmacists' time, materials, and medications. Calcium polycarbophil doses were prepared and administered more quickly (mean, 49.5 sec) than psyllium mucilloid (105.3 sec). The mean cost of preparing and administering a unit dose was 28.2 for calcium polycarbophil tablets and 59.9 for psyllium mucilloid. The results suggest that the use of calcium polycarbophil tablets would save time and money in institutions in which laxatives are frequently administered.

publication date

  • January 1, 1990

Research

keywords

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Cathartics
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Psyllium

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0025363851

PubMed ID

  • 2109660

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 12

issue

  • 1