According to research reported in today's Washington Post, use of albumin to reduce complications from surgery -- including pneumonia, infection, and inability to wean from a ventilator -- does not happen as reguarly as one might expect.

Overwhelming data has confirmed that albumin is an effective marker of general nutrition; low albumin levels can increase the likelihood of post-surgery complications by as much as 50%.  But in some hospitals, only one in five surgical patients are tested for low albumin before their operation.

These findings are part of a national study of 54,000 surgery patients with an average age of 61.  Read the full article in the Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/health/A6351-2001Jul16.html.  The article may be accessed at no charge for the next two weeks.  After that, a fee will be charged.