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Impact of Injectable Furosemide Hospital Shortage on Congestive Heart Failure Outcomes: A Time Series Analysis
Vivian S Tan1, Danielle M Nash2, Eric McArthur2
1Division of Nephrology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|November 8, 2017
Summary
A 2012 injectable furosemide shortage in Ontario did not impact heart failure patient mortality or other adverse outcomes. This study found no significant difference in 30-day mortality rates during the shortage period.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- A shortage of injectable furosemide occurred in Ontario, Canada, starting in February 2012.
- This situation presented a potential risk to patients with congestive heart failure requiring this medication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of the injectable furosemide shortage on heart failure outcomes in Ontario.
- To determine if the shortage led to increased mortality or other adverse events in heart failure patients.
Main Methods:
- Hospitals experiencing shortages were identified via online survey.
- Health administrative data were used to track patients with congestive heart failure.
- Time series analysis forecasted 30-day mortality rates during the shortage, comparing them to observed rates.
Main Results:
- 28 of surveyed hospitals reported a severe shortage in 2012.
- The forecasted 30-day mortality rate (11.3%) was not significantly different from the observed rate (10.9%) during the shortage.
- No significant impact was found on secondary outcomes like hospital stay duration or ICU transfer.
Conclusions:
- A severe shortage of injectable furosemide did not elevate the risk of adverse outcomes for hospitalized congestive heart failure patients.
- The findings suggest that healthcare systems may be resilient to certain drug shortages without compromising patient safety.
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