Title

EPO utilization experience and billings: One method of auditing accountability

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 patient is significant. Under current guidelines, a patient whose hematocrit level is below 30 should be administered an EPO regimen; the patient is removed from 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.

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Publication Title

Dialysis and Transplantation

Volume

26

Issue

4

Number of Pages

218-220

Document Type

Review

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

0030992941 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0030992941

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