Therapeutic drug monitoring
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The interpretation of therapeutic drug monitoring data depends not only on the measurements themselves but also on additional data collected on the request forms and the manner in which the results are displayed on the report forms. A study was conducted to learn how presently used request/report forms affect the interpretation of therapeutic drug level measurements. Letters were sent to 232 directors of laboratory services requesting them to forward examples of forms that they use in therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicology. ⋯ Many report forms do little more than provide a drug level measurement and a therapeutic range. Improved request/report forms, as well as systems to ensure their proper use through adequate numbers of qualified personnel are necessary. Data/word processing computers should prove helpful.