Evaluation of human albumin use in a university hospital in Belgium

In 1996-1997, a drug use evaluation (DUE) of human albumin was conducted in the Ghent University Hospital (Belgium) to determine the pattern and appropriateness of the albumin use. The DUE was followed by permanent review of the albumin consumption. This paper describes how the DUE was carried out and how the albumin use in our hospital changed over time.

The study was based on criteria for indications and end of treatment, accepted by consensus of the physicians prescribing albumin. Albumin treatment episodes were classified as appropriate or inappropriate according to these criteria.

For 115 treatment episodes in 90 patients, the researchers found 21 (18.3%) deviations from the developed criteria. After analysis, half out of them were considered as minor. Most deviations involved starting treatment too early (n = 17). Follow-up results indicated that the overall consumption of albumin dropped by 50.1% from 1994 to 1999, while the consumption of colloid solutions during the same period remained stable.

A good compliance with internally developed criteria for indications and end of treatment with human albumin was observed. Discussion with the clinicians involved led to the development of stricter criteria and a continuous decrease in albumin consumption.