Single-Center Retrospective Evaluation of Inhaled Corticosteroid Use for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation Patients Receiving Systemic Corticosteroids.

Purpose: To determine the frequency of inappropriate inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy when it is prescribed concurrently with systemic corticosteroids; to identify cost-savings potential in the setting of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.
Methods: Patients admitted to 1 of 8 hospital locations utilizing an integrated electronic health record within the health system for COPD exacerbations treated with systemic corticosteroids (equivalent to at least 30 mg of oral prednisone) between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014 were included in a retrospective chart review. Endpoints assessed included number of ICS, with or without long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA), respiratory medications potentially wasted due to overlap therapy with systemic corticosteroids, as well as overall cost attributed to drug product, administration products, and respiratory therapy labor cost from potentially inappropriate overlap therapy. Results were extrapolated based on the number of admissions within the specified time period. Length of stay data were also compared between the 2 groups (overlap therapy vs no overlap therapy) to determine whether overlap therapy results in a reduction of hospital stay.
Results: A total of 10,710 admissions were identified and 74 charts were randomly identified for review. Forty-six (62%) patients received at least one dose of overlapping ICS or ICS/LABA. One hundred forty-two nebulized budesonide vials were wasted along with 43 ICS or ICS/LABA inhalers. A total cost of $8,152.75 was attributed to drug product, administration products, and labor cost. Extrapolating to the 10,710 admissions identified, there would potentially be 20,551 wasted budesonide vials and 6,223 wasted ICS or ICS/LABA inhalers, resulting in an estimated annual cost savings of $1,180,090.03 for the health system. Additionally, length of stay was shorter in the group not receiving overlap therapy compared to the group receiving overlap therapy, but it was not statistically significant (6.8 ± 3.3 days vs 7.3 ± 4.8 days; p = .54).
Conclusion: Significant cost savings could be accomplished through intervention and appropriate utilization of ICS or ICS/LABA therapy in patients admitted for COPD exacerbations treated with systemic corticosteroids.