title: [Changing the use of albumin at the Oslo hospital].
abstract: An increasing demand for albumin in Oslo hospitals in the early 1990s instigated measures to reduce its use. During the autumn of 1993 a letter was sent to all doctors at Ullevål hospital informing them about the lack of documentation that albumin supplementation has a positive effect on outcome in critically ill with an albumin concentration of more than 20 g/l. In May 1994 the blood bank at Ullevål hospital stopped supplying 4% albumin solutions. A 20% reduction in use of albumin was observed after the letter of information, followed by a 50% reduction after the 4% solution was withdrawn. It is concluded that greater awareness of lack of information about the effects of albumin in critically ill patients has led to a more restrictive use of albumin. During the same period the use of polygeline increased, leading to the assumption that colloids other than albumin are being used for volume substitution.
authors.affiliation: Transfusjonskomiteen, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fosse
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Heier
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends*; D006767:Hospitals, District / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D010952:Plasma Substitutes
vernacular_title: Endret bruk av albumin ved Oslos sykehus.