Medication Use Evaluations

A Medication Use Evaluation (MUE) is an ongoing, systematic, and interdisciplinary performance-improvement method that has an overarching goal of optimizing patient outcomes through evaluating and improving medication-use processes. An MUE is considered one component of a performance improvement program.  

At UCSF Health, MUE are performed when:

  • The medication is known or suspected to cause adverse events or is used in the treatment of patients who may be at high risk for adverse events 
  • The medication has been the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall, safety alert, or market withdrawal 
  • The medication has not been evaluated in a high-risk population (pregnancy, pediatrics, obesity, etc.) 
  • The medication affects a large number of patients, or the medication is frequently prescribed 
  • The medication is a critical component of care for a specific disease, condition, or procedure 
  • The medication or process is one for which its use would have a negative effect or no therapeutic impact on patient outcomes  
  • The medication is a high-cost therapy and requires site of care considerations 
  • Use of the medication or medication process is considered expensive and the cost-benefit is unknown 
  • The medication is most effective when used in a specific way 
  • The medication is under consideration for formulary retention, addition, or deletion 
  • The medication has not been approved by the FDA  
  • The process is an innovative or newly initiated practice and its effects on patient care are unknown  
  • To determine if clinicians are complying with medication formulary restrictions or facility guidelines for use
  • To evaluate pharmacist-directed collaborative practices, such as dosing protocols or algorithms (pharmacy per protocol or pharmacy to dose) to verify appropriate action steps
  • Analytic tools (failure mode and effects analysis, risk priority numbers, cause and effect diagrams, control chart) or scoring systems (harm criteria) suggest the need for intervention

Medication use evaluation submission 

To submit an MUE for consideration complete the MUE PowerPoint template.

MUE PowerPoint template can be directed to the Formulary Coordinator: [email protected]

The document should include these components: 

  • Champion or designee: Name, title, contact information
  • Sponsoring body [committee, group, service, department, etc.]
  • Background or statement of problem
  • Supporting evidence and data
  • The requested action [e.g. vote to approve] with the exact recommended action statement
  • The committees, services, individuals, etc. who have reviewed and approved the recommendations thus far

 

Review & approval process 

These requests are presented during the recurring Pre-P&T Committee meeting live. If approved, the request would be placed on the P&T Committee Consent Agenda. This means that the P&T Committee members would receive the background and recommendation via email ahead of the meeting without a live presentation. During the P&T committee meeting, committee members may ask for clarification or follow-up. If there are no questions, the P&T Committee will vote privately and you will be notified of the outcome within 10 days of the P&T Committee meeting vote.