Abstract
In our hospital, we changed the entity in charge of the management of albumin products from the Department of Pharmacy to the Division of Transfusion Medicine in September 2007 and improved the promotion of the appropriate use of albumin products through the Hospital Transfusion Committee. As a result, we were able to meet the criteria for receiving hospital fees for transfusion management I in January 2010.
We analyzed the consumption of albumin and the ratio of the volume of albumin to that of red cell products (ALB/RBC) over a duration divided into five periods: period (1), when albumin products were managed by the Department of Pharmacy; period (2), when albumin products were managed by the Division of Transfusion Medicine with the standard medical record form; period (3), when we changed the hypertonic albumin and innovated the system of evaluation after albumin product administration; period (4), when we innovated the system of evaluation before administration; and period (5), when we continuously meet the criteria for receiving hospital fees for transfusion management I.
Comparison of period (5) and (1) showed that hypertonic albumin consumption decreased by 32.3%, and isotonic albumin consumption decreased by 45.4%. ALB/RBC decreased from 3.08 to 1.86, and the median serum albumin levels before and after administration of hypertonic albumin also decreased significantly.
To meet the criteria for receiving hospital fees for transfusion management I successfully and continuously, the following proved to be important: the doctor recording details of the administration on a standard form; our changing the hypertonic albumin products; and improving the system of evaluation before and after administration.
