[Human albumin prescribed for malnutrition in hospitals of Rio de Janeiro].
OBJECTIVE
This study describes and analyzes the adequacy of HA prescription, for nutritional replacement, in hospitals of the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area and explores the use of SIH/SUS to evaluate the profile and quality of drug prescription.


METHODS
The information was collected from the Hospital Information System of the "Sistema Unico de Saúde" SIH/SUS from 1999 to 2001.


RESULTS
The use of HA for nutritional replacement was recorded in 121 admittances of subjects during 1 year, the most frequent justification being protein-caloric malnutrition (93%). HA use was classified as inadequate in 91% of cases. In 51% of the cases death occurred and the Clinical Practice Unit was responsible for 87% of the admittances. Inadequacy of the prescription was positively associated to length of hospital stay, with RP 1. 14 (IC95% 1.01-1.28). Death showed positive association with the patient's age, with RP 1.72 (IC 95% 1.19-2.48). The absence of laboratory parameters and lack of clinical databank information have limited data analysis. The SIH sub-registration of admittances, within the SUS ambit was another important restriction for more precise identification of the problem.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of the limitations, the study disclosed the high level of inappropriate utilization of HA for nutritional replacement and the possibilities of using the SIH/SUS databank to evaluate the quality of prescribing drugs such as HA included in the special procedures.
Matos
Guacira Corrêa de
GC
Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. gmatos@matrix.com.br
Rozenfeld
Suely
S
Martins
Mônica
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000187:drug effects; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011786:Quality Control; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
D012709:Serum Albumin