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Hospital-wide program promising for reduction of VTE events
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Implementation of a hospital-wide program led to a reduction in the incidence of venous thromboembolic events among at-risk patients, new data suggested.
The program included all patients at a 2,300-bed academic medical center with a risk for VTE events beginning in June 2010. A research team from three New York-based medical institutions monitored risk assessment and prophylaxis via software (Amalga, Microsoft) and hospital electronic health records.
According to study data, compared with pre-implementation data from the first-half of 2010, rates of VTE per 1,000 discharges (4.22 vs. 5.75; P=.003) and inappropriate prophylaxis (22% vs. 46%; P=.011) were reduced after implementation.
Additionally, 32% of patients considered low risk by admitting physician were actually at high risk. Of these patients, 65% were already on appropriate prophylaxis, whereas for the remaining 35%, responsible physicians were contacted and prophylaxis performed unless contraindicated.
“A hospital-wide VTE prevention program that evaluates all admitted patients is feasible, even in large medical centers,” study researcher Nicholas J. Morrissey, MD, associate professor of clinical surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, said in a press release. “Our preliminary data suggest that there is a significant decrease in VTE events and significant improvement in prophylaxis rates. The Amalga software allows real-time monitoring of risk and prophylaxis resulting in the ability to correct errors and provide appropriate prophylaxis when indicated.”
For more information:
- Morrissey N. SS32. Presented at: 2011 Vascular Annual Meeting; June 16-18, 2011; Chicago.
Disclosure: Dr. Morrissey reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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