Title

EPO utilization experience and billings: One method of auditing accountability

Authors

Authors

A. Liberman;B. Goode

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

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

Share

COinS