EPO utilization experience and billings: One method of auditing accountability

    Authors

    A. Liberman;B. Goode

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Dial. Transplant.

    Keywords

    Engineering, Biomedical; Transplantation; Urology & Nephrology

    Abstract

    Next to physician and employee salaries, the largest single expenditure for most dialysis facilities is the utilization of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) which, in some instances, can exceed 15% of total operating costs. The importance of this product in reducing the incidence of anemia in dialysis patients is significant Under current guidelines, a patient whose hematocrit level is below 30 should be administered an EPO regimen, the patient is removed om EPO once the hematocrit level exceeds 36, unless medical orders dictate otherwise. If the hematocrit level subsequently dips below 36, the regimen is reinstituted (appropriate to the requirements of the individual patient) in order to again stabilize the hematocrit at 36 or above. The amount of EPO to be administered and the procedures for its handling can generate significant discussions. Appropriate methods to account for utilization and billing to the responsible third-party payer are crucial in assuring that the dialysis program does not lose money on this product.

    Journal Title

    Dialysis & Transplantation

    Volume

    26

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-1997

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    218

    Last Page

    220

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1997WQ83700010

    ISSN

    0090-2934

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