ABSTRACT
Establishing the diagnosis of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is challenging as laboratory tests for HIT vary in specificity and availability. As HIT suspicion far exceeds confirmation of diagnosis, overtreatment is an emerging concern. This pilot study evaluated the impact of a HIT Recognition and Management Protocol on direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI) prescribing, outcomes, and cost. The primary endpoint was DTI cessation within 12 hours of receipt of negative HIT serology. An observational cohort study using a pre-post design was performed. Sixty-one patients were in the pre-period (before implementation) and 46 in the post-period (after implementation). DTI therapy was discontinued within 12 hours of negative serology in 19.4% of pre-period patients compared to 40% of post-period patients, p=.058. DTI therapy was discontinued within 24 hours of receipt of a negative PF4/heparin ELISA more often in the post-period; 7/23 (30.4%) pre-period patients versus 16/26 (61.5%) post-period patients, p <0.05. Protocol implementation resulted in a significant improvement in timely initiation of DTI therapy (within 12 hours of HIT antibody testing) in those with a moderate to high suspicion of HIT; 8/31 (25.8%) of pre-period patients versus 24/31 (77.4%) of post-period patients, p <0.0001. Thrombotic events occurred in significantly more patients in the pre-period as compared to the post-period; 21/61 (34.4%) versus 6/46 (13%), respectively, p = 0.01. Major bleeding was reduced by 6.6 % after protocol implementation. The projected annual cost savings from decreased inappropriate DTI use was over $450,000. Protocol implementation had a positive impact on DTI prescribing, outcomes and cost.
Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/adverse effects , Heparin/adverse effects , Thrombocytopenia/chemically induced , Thrombocytopenia/diagnosis , Aged , Antithrombins/administration & dosage , Antithrombins/economics , Clinical Protocols , Cohort Studies , Endpoint Determination , Female , Health Care Costs , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Retrospective Studies , Thrombocytopenia/economics , Thrombocytopenia/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: A quality initiative to improve the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) at an academic medical center, including the development of guidelines on the use of direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), is described. SUMMARY: In keeping with the Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) for anticoagulant therapy (goal 03.05.01), a multidisciplinary working group conducted a needs assessment to identify areas for improvement in the center's HIT management practices, particularly the use of DTI therapy (an issue not specifically addressed by NPSG 03.05.01). The resulting action steps included (1) the implementation of a detailed protocol for the recognition and management of HIT, as well as guidelines on the use of the DTIs argatroban and lepirudin, (2) more efficient use and optimized documentation of initial and confirmatory tests in the electronic medical record (EMR), and (3) the education of pharmacists, nurses, and physicians on the use of the HIT protocol, with initial and ongoing case-based competency testing of pharmacy staff. Early postimplementation experience indicated that the protocol and associated activities have resulted in improved DTI prescribing and dosing, HIT documentation, and patient education practices while expanding pharmacists' involvement in ensuring optimal, cost-effective management of patients with HIT. CONCLUSION: In one institution, an HIT working group extended the scope of NPSG 03.05.01 to include the parenteral DTIs. The implementation of the HIT protocol has resulted in greater compliance with appropriate DTI dosing and improved EMR documentation of HIT.
