Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis on a Cardiology In-Patient Unit: A Surprising Result?
To determine whether a guideline-based protocol improves compliance with venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis guidelines, 10 single-day audits of a cardiology inpatient unit were performed. All patients at high risk for VTE were included (n = 420; male/female = 282/138; median age, 66 ± 14 years). Before the protocol, 36% of patients were not receiving VTE prophylaxis; after the protocol, 26% did not receive prophylaxis (P = 0.024). In conclusion, there is a high rate of noncompliance with accepted guidelines for the prevention of VTE. The introduction of a guideline-based protocol significantly increased compliance, but a substantial proportion of patients still did not receive VTE prophylaxis despite meriting such therapy.
Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Cardiac Sciences Program, St Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Mehrdad
M
Golian
Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Cardiac Sciences Program, St Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Motaz
M
Moussa
Cardiac Sciences Program, St Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Charlene
C
White
Cardiac Sciences Program, St Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Giuseppe
G
Aletta
Cardiac Sciences Program, St Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Lillian
L
Koley
Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Cardiac Sciences Program, St Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: cmseifer@sbgh.mb.ca.
Colette
C
Seifer
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants