Reducing and Preventing Adverse Drug Events Decreases Hospital Costs

Press Release Date: April 11, 2001

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announces the publication Research in Action: Reducing and Preventing Adverse Drug Events (ADE) to Decrease Hospital Costs. This synthesis of AHRQ-funded research features what works and doesn't work in reducing and preventing ADEs, what it costs the health care system, and what can be done to decrease costs while at the same time improving quality of care. Computerized systems can prevent 28 to 95 percent of ADEs by reducing medication errors which can save each hospital as much as $500,000 annually in direct costs.

This first synthesis in AHRQ's Research in Action series is available online at http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/aderia/aderia.htm. Printed copies are available from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 8547, Silver Spring, MD 20907, or by calling 1-800-358-9295.

For additional information, please contact AHRQ Public Affairs, (301) 427-1364: Nancy Comfort, (301) 427-1866 (NComfort@ahrq.gov).

Internet Citation:

Reducing and Preventing Adverse Drug Events Decreases Hospital Costs. Press Release, April 11, 2001. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2001/adepr.htm