A multidisciplinary quality improvement program increases the inferior vena cava filter retrieval rate.
Published reports indicate low retrieval rates for retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. We performed a historic-controlled study of a 5-year intervention (March 2007 to February 2012) to improve IVC filter retrieval rates at a university medical center serving a rural area. All adults with a retrievable filter placed were included, except those with a life expectancy <6 months. The intervention included initial verbal counseling and printed educational materials, correspondence after discharge, and a hematology consultation. The control group included patients with retrievable filters placed in the 15 months preceding study initiation. In the control group, 116 filters were placed and 27 (23%) were removed, compared to 378 filters placed and 169 (45%) removed during the intervention. Adjusting for patient characteristics, the odds ratio of retrieval during the intervention was 3.03 (95% CI 1.85-4.27) compared to the control period. An intervention including patient education and hematology follow-up appeared to significantly improve IVC filter retrieval rates.
1 Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Division of Hematology - Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
John P
JP
Winters
2 Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Christopher S
CS
Morris
1 Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Division of Hematology - Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Chris E
CE
Holmes
1 Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Division of Hematology - Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Patricia
P
Lewis
2 Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Anant D
AD
Bhave
2 Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Kenneth E
KE
Najarian
2 Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Joseph T
JT
Shields
3 Department of Surgery, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
William
W
Charash
1 Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Division of Hematology - Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Mary
M
Cushman
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006405:Hematology; D065386:Historically Controlled Study; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000592:standards; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D014707:Vermont
IVC filter retrieval; inferior vena cava (IVC) filter; quality improvement; venous thromboembolism