Background: Given the importance of rational albumin prescribing, this study was designed to investigate the extent of irrational albumin use at Shahid Chamran heart center in Isfahan and to evaluate the acceptance of clinical pharmacist interventions in reducing the inappropriate prescription of this medication.
Methods: All patients receiving albumin during the study period were assessed to evaluate the prescribing and consumption patterns of albumin. Additionally, analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the hospital ward, reason for admission, and the specialty of the prescribing physician with irrational albumin prescribing. The effectiveness of the clinical pharmacist's intervention was evaluated by comparing the prescribing rates before and after the intervention.
Findings: In this study, 264 patients receiving albumin (982 vials) were analyzed, revealing that 84% of the patients and 80.1% of the vials prescribed were deemed irrational. The results indicated that the reason for admission, the specialty of the prescribing physician, and the hospital ward had a significant relationship with irrational albumin prescribing. Furthermore, the clinical pharmacist's intervention led to a reduction of over 50% in albumin consumption within the hospital.
Conclusion: The majority of albumin prescriptions at Chamran Heart Center were found to be empirical, primarily due to the lack of valid guidelines for albumin use, especially in pediatric and neonatal populations. Therefore, it is essential to implement serious programs for albumin prescribing to reduce healthcare system costs and minimize the adverse effects associated with irrational albumin use.