Investigating the Use of Human Albumin in a Non-Teaching Hospital in Iran

Albumin is an expensive drug which imposes relatively high cost on the health care system. Doing ABC analysis in Shahid Motahari Hospital, it was revealed that albumin is categorized in class A. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the pattern of albumin use and the physicians' adherence to evidenced-based albumin guidelines in this large general non-teaching hospital in Shiraz, Iran. This study is an observational retrospective research on drug utilization. All patients admitted to Shahid Motahari hospital that had received albumin during the study period of one year (December 2013 to December 2014), were included in the study. To evaluate the appropriate use of albumin, an internal guideline was prepared using several evidence-based guidelines. Prescriptions were considered correct and appropriate if they were compliant with the standard guideline. The result of this study indicated that about 87.3% of patients had received albumin improperly. Nephrotic syndrome without hypoalbuminemia (23.6%) was the most prevalent reason for albumin misuse and internal ward was the most consuming unit. The findings of this study, similar to those of previous investigations in Iran, revealed the high percentage of inappropriate albumin usage in Iranian teaching and non-teaching hospitals. Regarding the high cost and short supply of this drug, educating physicians through educational programs to best implement the standard guidelines is highly recommended.