Evaluation of Human Albumin Use Pattern in a Referral Teaching Hospital

Albumin is generally used in hypovolemic conditions and due to its high cost and complicated manufacturing process, its appropriate use is a vital issue to be considered.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern of Albumin prescription in Imam Khomeini teaching hospital in Urmia-Iran Methods This study was carried out between December 2014- December 2015 in the Imam Khomeini hospital, affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran using pre-designed forms covering demographic data and clinical and laboratory information that was completed by the educated pharmacist on a daily observational basis.

A total of 202 patients were selected with the mean age of 55.91±20.5 years including 53 % male patients. The highest prescription percentages were for patients with the diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Cancers (10.9%) while most of the patients were admitted in burn ward (16.3 %). Overall 2755 Albumin 20% vials equal to almost 3030 million Rials were used while only 79 (39.1%) of prescriptions were appropriate among which, hypoalbuminemia with 5% had the highest number of inappropriate indications.

Our results showed a significantly low percentage of justifiable prescriptions which highlights the necessity for reviewing and supervising the utilization of Albumin in the hospital.