Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in acute medical admissions to a university teaching hospital
Lyons, O.; Loh, J.; Lim, M.; O'Riordan, D.; Silke, B.
Irish Medical Journal 106(8): 235-238
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0332-3102 PMID: 24282892 Document Number: 669458
The objective of this study was to assess appropriate thromboprophylaxis prescription rates in a university hospital and to re-audit after a series of interventions. The notes of all acute medical patient admissions over a 4-week period were assessed for VTE risk factors and prescription of thromboprophylaxis. Subsequently, a series of hospital wide interventions including educational initiatives and a new drug prescription chart were introduced. 2 years post intervention the audit was repeated. Pre-intervention, 104 of 265 (39%) "at risk" patients were prescribed appropriate thromboprophylaxis. Post intervention the prescription rate increased to 108 of 188 (57%) "at risk patients". The results of the pre- intervention audit are consistent with the published literature. While there was a significant increase in prescription rates post intervention, over 40% of "at risk" patients still did not receive thromboprophylaxis highlighting the challenge in attempting to close the gap between guidelines and actual practice.