Albumin/hetastarch drug utilization review in an operating room pharmacy

A prospective drug utilization review (DUR) was performed on the colloids albumin 5% and hetastarch 6% at the University of Illinois Hospital Operating Room Pharmacy. This DUR's purpose was to evaluate the usage patterns of the two colloids. With the addition of hetastarch 6% to the formulary, an alternative colloid was available that could be therapeutically substituted for albumin 5% at a cost savings. Its usage, however, was not what would have been expected. Usage information was obtained by placing utilization forms inside the individual boxes of albumin 5% and hetastarch 6%. These forms were completed by the anesthesiologists and returned to the pharmacy, where the remainder of each form was completed. It was concluded that 93 percent of the patients administered albumin 5% could have received hetastarch 6%. Hence, potential yearly savings of approximately $12,346.00 could be realized by the Department of Pharmacy.