Proceedings

Track: Late Breaking News, Deploying XML, Publishing

Audience Level: High Level/Technical view

Time: Wednesday, November 16 11:00

Keywords: XML, Document Publishing, SGML, CMS

Abstract:

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

For more than 60 years, ASHP has helped pharmacists who practice in hospitals and health systems improve medication use and enhance patient safety. In support of this mission, the Society has an extensive publishing operation, of which, AHFS Drug Information is at the forefront. Published since 1959, AHFS (American Hospital Formulary Service) has undergone several face-lifts (from loose-leaf to bound in 1984) and has changed considerably behind-the-scenes, from a strictly typesetting format to a proprietary database format (1984) to an industry-standard, vendor-neutral format (2001). Previously published in one annual edition plus quarterly supplements, the new AHFS Drug Information is published annually in print and offers monthly updates. Turn-around time for the annual edition from time of print publication to database publication was reduced from 3 months to 2 weeks. This case study will review the steps taken leading up to conversion of the database to SGML; selecting new vendors for editing, content management, and composition; a return on investment analysis; and additional ASHP publishing efforts in SGML and XML.