Volumen: 17 # Number : 1
Publication Date : Enero - Abril Year: 2013
Authors: Páramo JA, Lecumberri R.
Abstract: The prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a priority for improved safety in hospitalised
patients. Worldwide, there is growing concern over the undersuse of appropriate thromboprophylaxis.
Computerised decision support can improve the implementation of thromboprophylaxis and be a cost-effective strategy. The only requisite is to get computerized clinical records to calculate the VTE risk. The aim of this study was to assess the clincial and economical impact of the e-alert during years 2006 to 2009 (post-intervention period) as compared to the incidence during the year 2005 (pre-intervention period). We evaluated prospectively all hospitalised patients at a single institution (University Hospital of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain) during the first semesters of 2006-2009 (n = 25.839) compared to retrospective findings in a group of similar baseline characteristics (n = 6.441)�. All cases of VTE developed during hospitalisation
were followed and direct costs of diagnosis and management collected. E-alerts achieved a sustained
reduction of the incidence of in-hospital VTE (50%), as compared to the pre-intervention period the impact being especially significant in medical patients (66%), leading to a net cost saving of €6.5 per hospitalised patient. Should all hospitalised patients in Spain be considered, total yearly savings would approach €30 million. E-alerts are useful and cost-effective tools for thromboprophylaxis strategy in hospitalised patients.
Key words: venous thromboembolism, electronic alert, thromboprophylaxis
Pages : 1-7
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