Fong EP, Foote EF, Suh DC, Steward CA, Pickard MV, Sherman RA
Cost minimization of erythropoietin at an outpatient
hemodialysis center
1996 Spring Clinical Nephrology Meetings
Am J Kidney Dis
(Apr) 26:A6 1996
This study documented the efficacy of methods designed to save EPO costs.
EPO was obtained in
10,000 unit single dose vials. However, use of EPO overfill (1-2,000 units
per vial) was maximized
by a system of nursing education about EPO costs, which included
refrigeration of partially used
vials, and use on the subsequent shift. Additionally, use of the MedSaver
syringe, which utilizes a
permanently attached needle, and which minimizes the dead space in the
syringe after complete
depression of the plunger, was evaluated.
Prior to these measured, about 9,800 unit of EPO were recoverd from each
vial. After nursing
education, this increased to 10,900 units per vial, and use of the MedSaver
syringe plus nursing
education resulted in obtaining 11,780 units from each "10,000 Unit" vial.
The total cost savings
of these measures was computed to be $145,000 dollars per year!!
Comment: The benefits of this approach are obvious. Kudos to Dr.
Sherman's group for
undertaking a very practical and useful research project. (John T.
Daugirdas, M.D., University
of Illinois at Chicago)
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1996 Spring Clinical Nephrology Meetings
CRF by problem area :
Anemia/Erythropoietin/Iron