Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Digoxin therapeutic drug monitoring: an audit and review.

AIM: The measurement and assessment of digoxin concentrations are often performed poorly. We have conducted an audit to assess the appropriateness of digoxin therapeutic drug monitoring in Christchurch Hospital.

METHODS: One hundred consecutive requests for digoxin concentrations in Christchurch Hospital inpatients were assessed. The case notes and hospital medication records were reviewed to determine the indication for testing, the appropriateness of the sampling time and of the subsequent alteration to dosing.

RESULTS: In 53% of requests no clear indication for digoxin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) could be determined. In the remainder, 'suspected toxicity' accounted for 31% and 'therapeutic failure' for 16%. Samples were inappropriately taken within eight hours post-dose in 32% of requests. In 19% of cases, the samples did not reflect steady-state conditions. In 5% of occasions, the subsequent decision regarding dose adjustment was felt to be clearly inappropriate, and there was uncertainty regarding appropriateness in some other cases. Overall, in only 29% of requests was TDM performed appropriately with regard to indication, sampling and subsequent dose alteration.

CONCLUSIONS: At Christchurch Hospital, the practice of TDM for digoxin is often inappropriate. It would seem that medical staff education is required to improve this practice.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app