Use of albumin in two Spanish university hospitals

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the use of seralbumin, evaluating how appropriate its prescription is and what possible economic repercussions may result from inappropriate use.

Methods: We performed a prospective study that included all patients receiving albumin in two University Hospitals from October 1995 to March 1996. The reasons for albumin use were considered appropriate if they coincided with the recommendations of a panel of experts.

Results: During the study period, 197 patients received albumin and a total of 3208 50-ml vials (20%) were used. The internal medicine and gastroenterology services prescribed this drug the most often. The most frequent prescription motives were paracentesis in cirrhotic patients (25.9%), hypoalbuminemia (24.9%) and chronic handling of cirrhotic patients (18.6%). Only 16 prescriptions (8.1%) (corresponding to 315 vials, 9.8%) were considered appropriate. One cause of inappropriate prescribing was that colloid solutions had not previously been used in 56 (30.9%) of the 186 inappropriate prescriptions. During the study period, 74 306 ECUs were spent on inappropriate indications.

Conclusions: The use of albumin in our centers is incorrect and has important economic repercussions. Some educational and informative measures must be established to change this situation.