@article{MRA, author = {Lauren Schleicher and Lisa Hawk and Kate Hartkopf and Christopher Hulstein and Natasha Frost}, title = { Implementing High Dose Oral Methylprednisolone for a Multiple Sclerosis Relapse in the Outpatient Setting}, journal = {Medical Research Archives}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, year = {2024}, keywords = {}, abstract = {Background Intravenous methylprednisolone is the standard of care for a multiple sclerosis relapse. However, intravenous medications can create several barriers for patients and healthcare organizations. A non-inferiority study by Le Page et al. demonstrated no difference between a patient’s multiple sclerosis disability score when treated with high dose oral versus intravenous methylprednisolone. Implementing an oral methylprednisolone workflow for a multiple sclerosis relapse leads to healthcare cost savings and decreased healthcare utilization.   Methods A neurology clinical pharmacist partnered with neurology providers to create and implement a standardized workflow for high dose oral methylprednisolone to treat multiple sclerosis relapses. From October 2018 – April 2022, patients were included in the retrospective analysis if they were prescribed oral methylprednisolone for a 3 or 5 day treatment course for the purpose of an multiple sclerosis relapse by a neurology provider from the same multiple sclerosis clinic. The primary outcome was evaluating healthcare utilization measured by infusion center chair time saved and direct health system cost savings.   Results: Overall, 290 three-day oral methylprednisolone treatment courses and 50 five-day treatment courses were prescribed. This saved the infusion center 1,680 hours of medication administration time and contributed to an estimated \$80,875 in health system cost savings.   Conclusion and Relevance: Implementing a high dose oral methylprednisolone workflow for a multiple sclerosis relapse at an outpatient neurology clinic did help reduce health system cost and infusion center chair time.}, issn = {2375-1924}, doi = {10.18103/mra.v12i3.5195}, url = {https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5195} }