Single-center analysis of the inappropriate use of human albumin and nutritional support in hospitalized patients with hypoproteinemia in China

BACKGROUND: This study used single-center analysis of human serum albumin clinical usage and enteral-parenteral nutritional support to establish clinical application standards for the rational use of human serum albumin. METHODS: A total of 1984 patients receiving human serum albumin were enrolled in this retrospective study to analyze the rational application of human serum albumin and enteral-parenteral nutritional support. RESULTS: Among 1984 patients, 1044 (52.6%) were found to have irrational applications for human serum albumin use. Major indications for irrational applications were hypoproteinemia (30.0%) and nutritional support (21.9%). Surgical departments including thoracic surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery had the most irrational applications, occupying 18.4%, 8.4%, and 4.2%, respectively. A total of 1627 patients (82%) required nutritional support and 745 (45.8%) had irrational nutritional support. Moreover, 694 patients (35.0%) received human serum albumin as the only source of nutritional support. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical training and the establishment of an approval system should be used to enhance the rational use of human serum albumin, ensuring medication safety, reducing medical costs, and avoiding the waste of medical resources.