Conversion From Intravenous to Oral Medications

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Abstract
SEVERAL MEDICATIONS commonly used in hospitalized patients are equally bioavailable intravenously and orally.1-5 Patients often begin to receive a medication intravenously when acutely ill or postoperatively, but are not switched to the oral medication when stable and taking oral medications or eating an oral diet. Oral medications have several advantages, including a lower cost and less nursing time for medication administration. Eliminating the requirement for intravenous catheters can lead to increased patient comfort and safety. Prior research6-9 in the setting of community-acquired pneumonia has demonstrated that early conversion from intravenous to oral medications can also shorten the duration of hospitalization.