Outpatient treatment of community acquired venous thromboembolism--the Christchurch experience.
OBJECTIVE
To describe our experience with the outpatient treatment of venous thromboembolic disease at Christchurch Hospital in the first 30 months following the establishment of an outpatient haemostasis service in March 1999.


METHODS
Patient clinical and laboratory data were collected prospectively on a Microsoft Access database and statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel software.


RESULTS
288 patients were treated and their medical profiles are detailed. The treatment protocols for low molecular weight heparin and warfarin, using dosing protocols determined by weight and INR results, are described. During the course of heparin therapy no patient had clinical progression of thrombosis and only one had haemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of DVT delivered to outpatients has proven to be effective and safe.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017985:Dalteparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D017985:Dalteparin