Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Updates Released

Created January 28, 2019 By MDScripts

Article Summary

The Drug Utilization Review process has received major updates including built-in reporting to review historical DUR checks.

Drug Utilization Review (DUR)

Drug Utilization Review is the evaluation of drugs, allergies and other conditions to determine whether problems can occur from the prescribing or dispensing of a combination of medications.The DUR process allows providers to perform several different allergy and interaction checks when dispensing medications and writing prescriptions. The following contra-indication checks are being performed when a DUR check is requested:

Accessing DUR Check

Previously, the DUR check was only available during the dispensing operation, but this has now been expanded to the Patient Profile and Prescription writing. Dur Checks can be manually run from the Patient Profile screen and the Dispense Cart by clicking on the "Check DUR" button. It is automatically run when writing prescriptions using the RxPad screen.

Patient Profile

Select Allergies/DUR tab on the patient profile tab.

Dispense Cart

Select Proceed to DUR. This step may be set as Required or Optional for sites that have DUR enabled.

RxPad Prescription Writing

DUR is automatically performed when writing in-house or e-prescriptions using the RxPad screen.

Using DUR Check

The DUR information is separated into three categories of information that are reviewed during the check.

  1. Current Medication List - This is the known list of medications that the patient may be currently taking. This list is automatically updated with medications when they are dispensed or prescribed in the system. Users can also manually add medications when they are reported by the patient or listed on the patient's chart. The Date of the mediation is the date when the entry was added to the system. Entries with older dates should be confirmed with the patient and removed if no longer being taken. The Date value is updated each time a mediation is dispensed or prescribed.
  2. Known Allergies - Users can lookup and add any allergies that have been reported by the patient.
  3. Illness/Conditions - Users can lookup and add known illnesses and conditions reported by the patient, which my be affected by medications.

The example below shows the Allergies/DUR tab on the patient profile, where new Medications, Allergies, and Conditions can be added. The patient shown is currently taking several medications reported in the month of January. They are also Allergic to two medications and are Diabetic (Illness/Condition). The Allergies and Illnesses/Conditions are based on ICD-10 codes and can be looked up using the ICD-10 code or name.



DUR Check Results

When a DUR check is performed the user will be shown all potential contraindications as a set of boxes. The boxes will give details on each contraindication found and whether it is a Moderate or Severe interaction. The example below shows a Drug-to-Drug interaction between Keflex and Glucophage as well as an interaction between Keflex and the patient's allergy to Penicillin:


Providers should use the Contraindication information to ensure patient safety and review alternate treatment options if deemed necessary given the severity of the interaction.

DUR Log Monitoring Report

A new Instant Report named DUR Log has been added that will allow Managers and providers to review DUR history at their sites. The report will list all DUR checks that were performed as well as their results.


NOTE: DUR checking is available for all sites, but may be disabled, or set as Optional for your site. Contact Customer Support or your Sales rep if you would like more details on enabling DUR support in your site.