DUR (Drug Utilization Review) is a program that helps ensure medications are used safely and appropriately in healthcare settings. Think of it as a safety check system that pharmacists and healthcare professionals use to review patient medication histories, check for potential drug interactions, and make sure prescriptions are appropriate. This review can happen before a medication is given (prospective), while it's being used (concurrent), or after the medication has been given (retrospective). It's like having a safety net that catches potential medication problems before they can affect patients.
Performed daily DUR checks for over 200 patient prescriptions
Implemented new Drug Utilization Review protocols to improve patient safety
Managed DUR alerts and provided intervention recommendations to healthcare providers
Typical job title: "Clinical Pharmacists"
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Q: How would you implement a DUR program to improve patient outcomes?
Expected Answer: A senior pharmacist should discuss creating comprehensive review protocols, setting up monitoring systems, training staff, and establishing communication channels with healthcare providers. They should mention measuring program success through patient safety metrics.
Q: How do you handle complex drug interaction cases?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience in evaluating multiple medication interactions, consulting with physicians, documenting interventions, and making evidence-based recommendations for alternative treatments.
Q: What are the key components of a DUR review?
Expected Answer: Should explain checking for appropriate dosage, potential drug interactions, patient allergies, duplicate therapies, and ensuring compliance with guidelines and regulations.
Q: How do you document and follow up on DUR interventions?
Expected Answer: Should describe the process of recording interventions, communicating with healthcare providers, tracking outcomes, and maintaining proper documentation for compliance.
Q: What is the difference between prospective and retrospective DUR?
Expected Answer: Should explain that prospective DUR happens before dispensing medication to prevent problems, while retrospective DUR reviews past medication use to identify patterns and improve future care.
Q: What common drug interactions do you look for in DUR?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic drug-drug interactions, dose checking, allergies, and contraindications, showing understanding of basic medication safety principles.