title: Comparative effectiveness of dalteparin and enoxaparin in a hospital setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared the effectiveness of a change from enoxaparin to dalteparin for the prophylaxis of patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study identified hospitalized patients with VTE risk admitted at Wellmont Health System between August 1, 2008 and July 31, 2009. On February 1, 2009, a therapeutic interchange from enoxaparin to dalteparin occurred. All patient records were reviewed from billing data collected 6 months prior and following conversion. Statistical tests of heterogeneity compared distributions of demography between study cohorts and Cochran tests were used to compare pre- versus postchange in the outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3557 and 3465 patient discharges were analyzed in the 6 months prior and following the interchange, respectively. Of these discharges, 1870 were administered enoxaparin and 1639 dalteparin. VTE rates were similar between the 2 groups. Data showed no significant difference in-hospital length of stay (LOS), readmittance, and bleeding rates in the populations. The system achieved a $40 788 savings over 6 months following the conversion using approved prophylactic dosing per patient indication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dalteparin is similarly effective as enoxaparin and an alternative for the prophylaxis of VTE in a hospital setting while providing cost savings.
authors: Pharmacy Services, Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN, USA.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Carson
authors: Blane
authors: B
authors: Schilling
authors: W Robert
authors: WR
authors: Simons
authors: Connie
authors: C
authors: Parks
authors: Yoonhee
authors: Y
authors: Choe
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Faria
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Powers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017985:Dalteparin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin; D017985:Dalteparin