Thromboprophylaxis for Nursing home residents with COVID-19-a single centre approach

ABSTRACT

In adults, COVID-19 infection increases the risk of thrombotic events. Hospitals worldwide reported a poorer prognosis for patients who did not receive venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, in comparison to those who did. This finding instigated UK hospitals to form their own local policies on VTE prophylaxis in COVID-19 positive patients, to prevent death and complications secondary to clot formation. Due to older age, multiple co-morbidities, decreased mobility and increased frailty, nursing home residents with confirmed COVID-19 have an increased thrombotic risk. Therefore, a primary thromboprophylactic (TP) strategy was formulated (see figure 1) and applied to COVID-19 positive residents in Islington nursing homes. This included the prescribing of apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily if there were no contraindications. The guideline included a risk versus benefit assessment tool, prescribing advice and monitoring recommendations. It was also stated that the prescribing of apixaban for this indication would be considered as off-label use. The guideline was amended following the role out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme with the addition of 'residents who have been doubly vaccinated and become COVID positive but are asymptomatic will not require VTE prophylaxis as the vaccines have demonstrated some protection against severe illness from COVID-19'. The aim of this service evaluation is to review the implementation of this thromboprophylactic strategy. This included the number of residents prescribed TP, the incidence of bleeding or thrombotic complications, as well as number of deaths relating to COVID-19. Data were retrospectively collected from six nursing homes between November 2020 and April 2021 from GP electronic medical records (EMIS). Fifty-one residents tested positive for COVID-19 during this time. Six deceased residents were eliminated from the audit as their electronic records were not available to determine thromboprophylactic status. Additionally, two residents were excluded as they were admitted to hospital and 12 residents were already in receipt of anticoagulation. The 12 residents who were already prescribed anticoagulation prior to their positive COVID test were on anticoagulation for the treatment of AF. From these 12 residents, three died with COVID-19 reported on their death certificates. Of the 31 residents included, there were 12 males and 19 [SZ4] females and the median age was 79 years (range 46-101). All residents had at least one co-morbidity which would increase their VTE risk. Twenty-three (74%) residents were prescribed TP in line with the guidelines. Of these, three died from COVID-19. The remaining eight residents were not prescribed TP. Of these eight, two died from COVID-19. The most common reasons for not prescribing thromboprophylaxis included residents on end-of-life care, high bleeding risk or lack of locum GP awareness of the guidelines. There were no reported bleeding events in residents prescribed TP. There were no thrombotic events in residents prescribed TP. The accuracy of the cause of death recorded for the deceased residents was limited, due to the absence of postmortem examinations. The numbers of residents included in this audit was too small to provide statistical relevance. Apixaban may be a safe option for residents in nursing homes who are COVID-19 positive and are considered to have a high risk of thrombosis..