[Evaluation of an intervention on the prescription and biological surveillance of low-molecular weight heparins in medicine].
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effect of oral recommendations documents distributed to prescribing physicians on the use of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and laboratory test orders.


METHODS
Prescription of LMWH over a 6 month period was left to the total discretion of the prescribing physician (observation period). An information session and recommendation documents were then proposed describing prophylactic use of LMWH and appropriate hemostasis monitoring tests for curative treatments. Prescriptions and laboratory test orders were then recorded for the next six months (intervention period).


RESULTS
Diffusion of recommendation documents to prescribers led to a 50% decrease in the prescription of low-molecular weight heparin for prophylaxis and a significant drop in orders for anti-Xa and prothrombin.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm the efficacity of informing prescribing physicians on the use of low-molecular weight heparins and underlines the need to validate methods used for the prevention of venous thrombosis.
Fiessinger
J N
JN
Service de Médecine vasculaire, Hôpital Broussais, Paris.
Chatellier
G
G
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004346:Drug Information Services; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*
D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight