UHOD - Uluslararasi Hematoloji-Onkoloji Dergisi, vol.16, no.1, pp.18-22, 2006 (SCI-Expanded)
Albumin has been used in various treatment modalities since 1940, but recently, its use in clinical practice has become very controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of human albumin solutions in our hospital matched the Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) criteria. We performed a retrospective study that included 174 patients receiving human albumin solutions in Farabi Hospital from January 2003-December 2003. During this period, 1343 vials of albumin were administered to 174 patients. The internal medicine and general surgery clinics used this drug most often. The most frequent indications were nutritional support and hemorrhagic or nonhemorrhagic shock. One hundred and eighteen (%67,8) prescriptions were considered as inappropriate according to DUE criteria. The use of albumin in our center is incorrect and has important economic repercussions. A guideline should be established to change this situation in our center and country.