title: Rounding rituximab dose to nearest vial size.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility of dose-rounding rituximab by looking at the potential deviation from the prescribed dose to the dose rounded to the nearest vial size.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a retrospective chart review of all rituximab orders prescribed for hematologic or oncologic indications over a period of 24 months. The feasibility of dose-rounding rituximab to the nearest vial size was evaluated by looking at the potential deviation of the prescribed dose to the rounded dose. Physician opinion towards dose rounding rituximab was assessed through a survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From October 2008 through September 2010, 2028 orders of rituximab were prescribed and processed. Ninety-nine percent of all rituximab doses fell within 10% dose deviation if rounded to the nearest 100-mg vial size and 66.1% of all rituximab orders fell within 5% dose deviation. All responding physicians were comfortable with at least a 5% dose deviation, projecting a yearly savings of approximately US$37,000 through rounding down and capturing additional cost of approximately US$43,000 through rounding up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The projected savings of dose-rounding rituximab to the nearest vial size resulted in both substantial financial savings and reduced unnecessary wastage of unused drug.
authors.affiliation: Stanford Hosiptal and Clinics, Stanford, CA, USA. SaPatel@stanfordmed.org
authors.forename: Samit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D017046:Cost Savings; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016527:Drug Costs; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: Rituximab; rounding; vial size