A new computerized information system for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), which is intended to be linked to the other hospital information systems such as the prescription entry system or accounting system, was developed. This newly developed system provides an on-line real-time transmission of the data regarding order reception and the results of an assay to the host computer, and also adds up the number of assays and the medical charge for TDM on the request. The terminal emulation of this medical information system is also available in order to refer any essential information for dosage consultation, such as the diagnostic disease names and clinical laboratory data. Since February 1996, this newly developed system has been used and has allowed as to improve the checking and chargeability of TDM by up to more than 90% for outpatients, while additional charges are still frequently over looked because of a lack of the essential information. The complete fulfillment of the essential information for TDM using the TDM-order-entry system and its link with the medical information system and accounting system is thus called for in the future.
