Retrospective Evaluation of IVIG Use: Appropriateness and Potential Cost Savings from Body-Weight dosing at a Northeastern Tertiary Hospital in the United States
Background and objectives: This 1 year retrospective study evaluated the appropriateness of IVIG use as per protocol and the hypothesis that using adjusted bodyweight (AdjBW) (in obese patients) or ideal bodyweight (IBW) each instead of actual bodyweight (ABW) (which is used only in underweight patients with higher corresponding IBW) could save IVIG doses and costs.
Methods: Patient-level data (age, height, ABW, IBW and AdjBW computed; gender, IVIG dose, and dose duration) were collected from the electronic medical records at a northeastern tertiary care hospital in the United States.
Results: About 84.62% (44/65) of patients were ordered IVIG for a protocol approved indication. Applying the unit drug cost (average wholesale price from Red Book) to the differences in doses (grams) between ABW vs. IBW, and ABW vs. AdjBW; potential cost savings of minimum $20,472.63 and maximum $159,440.74, respectively could have been possible.
Conclusion: Despite limitations, this study informs stakeholders of the potential benefit monitoring appropriateness of IVIG use and evaluating cost-savings from implementing bodyweight dosing calculators for IVIG use.
Alec Fouche#, Christopher Oprica#, Jayashri Sankaranarayanan*, Nicholas Tessier
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