Summaries of Independent Scientist (K) Awards

Cochran, Gary

Institution: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Grant Title: Comparing the Effectiveness of Medication Use Systems in Small Rural Hospitals
Grant Number: K08 HS018059
Duration: 5 years (2009-2014)
Total Award: $650,000

Project Description: This research project has two specific aims:

1. Compare the effectiveness and cost of bedside bar-code administration to two other methods of medication dispensing that are frequently used in critical access hospitals using a prospective cohort design.
2. Compare the effectiveness and cost of telepharmacy services, bedside bar-code administration, and full time pharmacy support in critical access hospitals using a practice-based evidence for clinical practice improvement research methodology.

Career Goals: Dr. Cochran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, where he also received his PharmD. He would like to develop an independent research program focusing on the safe and effective use of medications in rural communities.

Progress to Date: Hospital recruitment began and is expected to be completed by summer. Three hospitals have expressed a willingness to participate. The grantee completed his academic coursework as proposed.

Future Plans: Dr. Cochran will visit the participating hospitals and create process maps using the same technique developed during the Partnerships in Implementing Patient Safety (PIPS) grant. Structure and process variables identified from the process maps will be used to evaluate and control for potential confounding. Training for two staff members from each participating hospital will take place.

K-Generated Publications: None thus far.

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