Authors
Agustín Virgili, Nicolás Igarzábal, Bernardo Lajad, Darío Chirino, Walter Albero, Bruno Gelsi, José María Sanguinetti
Published in
Medicina. Volume 86. Issue 4. Pages 935-943.
Abstract
The inappropriate use of intravenous albumin (IVA) increases costs and exposes to unnecessary risks. It is important to promote its rational use. This study evaluates the impact of implementing a wise use protocol.
An observational, quasiexperimental study was carried out before and after. The intervention was carried out in April 2023 and consisted of a rational use protocol, the monthly measurement of consumption and monitoring of cases. The observation periods were January to March 2023 and the same period in 2025. The number of patients who received IVA and mortality (chi-square) and the consumption of IVA/day- bed and number of vial-ampoules per patient incidence rate ratio (IRR) were compared. The pharmacoeconomic analysis was expressed as an absolute variation in quarterly spending, with an annualized projection of savings.
The number of patients who received IVA decreased from 28 to 8, (-67.3%; p = 0.005). Consumption/ bed day decreased from 0.09 to 0.01 (IRR=0.139 (95% CI 0.105-0.185) and containers per patient from 14.7 to 6.6 (IRR=0.451 (95% CI 0.339-0.600). Deaths 39 (3.4%) preintervention and 37 (3.8%) post-intervention (+0.43%; p = 0.64). The cost/bed day (USD) decreased from 4 to 0.57 (-86.1%). The projected annual expenditure (USD) decrease was 57 091.
The use of protocols, along with auditing and feedback, was effective in reducing inappropriate use of AIVs.
PMID:
42604503
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Aug 2026.
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