title: A benchmark for platelet count monitoring with low-molecular-weight heparin: expanding implementation of National Patient Safety Goals.
abstract: Practitioners in US hospitals are implementing anticoagulation dosing and monitoring protocols to improve the safety of anticoagulation, consistent with National Patient Safety Goal 03.05.01. An audit of the Utrecht Patient Oriented Database of patients treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) at the University Medical Center Utrecht revealed low compliance with platelet count monitoring as well as initial management of suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Limitations to this work included the inability to exclude other drug-induced causes of thrombocytopenia and their definition of the frequency of platelet count monitoring for compliance in patients given venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Despite these limitations, the authors' work represents the first published report on extending the quality of heparin anticoagulation management to platelet count monitoring and evaluation for HIT in a large patient population. Clinicians should include evaluations of compliance with platelet count monitoring with unfractionated heparin and LMWH, as well as appropriateness of the initial management strategies for HIT, and direct thrombin inhibitor protocols in their patient safety practice assessments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy Administration, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of Sciences in Philadelphia, 600 S. 43rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. s.spinle@usp.edu
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Spinler
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019985:Benchmarking; D016208:Databases, Factual; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight