scholarly journals Management of combined oral antithrombotic therapy by an antithrombotic stewardship program: a prospective study

Author(s):  
Zhu Xian Zhang ◽  
Jutta Schroeder - Tanka ◽  
Wim Stooker ◽  
Sanne van Wissen ◽  
Nakisa Khorsand

Aims: Given the complexity of antithrombotic therapy guidelines especially in patients with combined antithrombotic therapy, there is a risk of inappropriate prescribing and medication errors. In order to prevent this, a multidisciplinary antithrombotic stewardship (ASP) is implemented in our hospital. The primary aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of this ASP by assessing the number of patients on combined antithrombotic therapy for whom one or more interventions are needed. Methods: A prospective cohort study in a large teaching hospital is conducted. Hospitalized patients who received combined antithrombotic therapy in which an oral anticoagulant was combined with one (double therapy) or two (triple therapy) platelet aggregation inhibitors were included. The ASP proactively evaluated the appropriateness of this combined antithrombotic therapy. If needed, ASP improved the concerned therapy. Each improvement measurement by ASP was counted as one intervention. Results: A total of 460 patients were included over a period of 12 months. 251 (54.6%) patients required at least one intervention from the ASP. The most common intervention was to define and document a maximum duration of the combined antithrombotic therapy (65.5%) instead of lifetime use of the combination, to discontinue antithrombotic therapy (19.4%) as the proper indication was lacking and to adjust the dosage (8.1%). Conclusion: As intervention was needed in more than half of the patients on combined antithrombotic therapy, it seems essential to implement an ASP that dedicated evaluates antithrombotic therapy to improve and ensure optimal use and medication safety.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (01) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Verhaeghe ◽  
J. Vermylen

Author(s):  
Mrinalini Kotru ◽  
Deepti Mutereja ◽  
Abhishek Purohit ◽  
Seema Tyagi ◽  
Manoranjan Mahapatra ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Bleeding is a common clinical presentation. Even patients with mild bleeding disorders are extensively investigated for ascertaining the cause. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the extent of the possibility of diagnosis in mild bleeding disorders.Material and Methods: This was a prospective study of patients referred for work up of mild bleeding for a period of 13 months. A complete blood count, peripheral smear examination, Prothrombin time, Partial Thromboplastin time and Thrombin Time, Platelet Aggregometry test, tests for von Willebrand’s disease and Platelet function 3 availability were measured. Results: 164 patients presented with mild bleeding, in 114 of the  patients a single site of bleeding was present. Epistaxis was the most common presentation (39%). Cutaneous bleeding (petechiae and purpura) was the next common site. History of a major bleeding tendency in the family was present only in 11 patients. The investigations showed that VWD (17/164), followed by clotting disorders (CD) mainly mild hemophilia (15/164) were the most common diagnosable cause. There were also 4 cases of hypofibrinogenemia. The disorders of platelets (Platelet function defects/PFD) were the least common (9/164). Rest 123 (75%) patients could not be diagnosed on the basis of these investigations and were labeled as  Bleeding disorders – Unclassified (BDC). Conclusion: n our study, 75% of the patients with mild bleeding remained undiagnosed even after extensive laboratory workup, thus raising a very pertinent question that is it necessary that all mild bleeders submit to a broad battery of investigations, as the diagnosis continues to be elusive despite extensive workup.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S82-S82
Author(s):  
Travis B Nielsen ◽  
Maressa Santarossa ◽  
Beatrice D Probst ◽  
Laurie Labuszewski ◽  
Jenna Lopez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Antimicrobial-resistant infections lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Among the most facile modifiable risk factors for developing resistance is inappropriate prescribing. The CDC estimates that 47 million (or ≥30% of) outpatient antibiotic prescriptions in the United States are unnecessary. This has provided impetus for expanding our antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) into the outpatient setting. Initial goals included the following: continuous evaluation and reporting of antibiotic prescribing compliance; minimize underuse of antibiotics from delayed diagnoses and misdiagnoses; ensure proper drug, dose, and duration; improve the percentage of appropriate prescriptions. Methods To achieve these goals, we first sent a baseline survey to outpatient prescribers, assessing their understanding of stewardship and antimicrobial resistance. Questions were modeled from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Precious Drugs & Scary Bugs Campaign. The survey was sent to prescribers at 19 primary care and three immediate/urgent care clinics. Compliance rates for prescribing habits were subsequently tracked via electronic health records and reported to prescribers in accordance with IRB approval. Results Prescribers were highly knowledgeable about what constitutes appropriate prescribing, with verified compliance rates highly concordant with self-reported rates. However, 74% of respondents reported intense pressure from patients to inappropriately prescribe antimicrobials. Compliance rates have been tracked since December 2018 and comparing pre- with post-intervention rates shows improvement in primary care since reporting rates to prescribers in August 2019. Conclusion Reporting compliance rates has been helpful in avoiding inappropriate antimicrobial therapy. However, the survey data reinforce the importance of behavioral interventions to bolster ASP efficacy in the outpatient setting. Going forward, posters modeled off of the IDPH template will be conspicuously exhibited in exam rooms, indicating institutional commitment to the enumerated ASP guidelines. Future studies will allow for comparison of pre- and post-intervention knowledge and prescriber compliance. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1604-1607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyomi KAGAWA ◽  
Katsuya TOKURA ◽  
Kiyohisa UCHIDA ◽  
Hisato KAKUSHI ◽  
Tsutomu SHIKE ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62
Author(s):  
Sergio Stagno ◽  
Linda L. Pifer ◽  
Walter T. Hughes ◽  
Dana M. Brasfield ◽  
Ralph E. Tiller

Of 67 infants enrolled in a prospective study of infant pneumonia ten (14%) had evidence of Pneumocystis carinii infection. Diagnosis was achieved by demonstrating circulating P carinii antigens by counterimmunoelectrophoresis in all ten cases and by histopathology in the only infant who underwent an open lung biopsy. Antigenemia did not occur in 64 control infants (P = .003), nor in 57 patients of similar age who were hospitalized with pneumonitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis, respiratory syncytial virus, cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and influenza A and influenza B viruses. None of the ten infants with P carinii pneumonitis had evidence of a primary immunodeficiency nor had any received immunosuppressive medication. These patients were hospitalized at a mean age of 6 weeks (range 2 to 12) and their illness was characterized by its afebrile course, presentation in crisis with severe respiratory distress, apnea, tachypnea, cough, increased IgM, and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates with hyperaeration. The clinical features of P carinii pneumonitis were indistinguishable from those of C trachomatis and cytomegalovirus pneumonia. Treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was associated with rapid disappearance of circulating antigens; however, the small number of patients studied did not permit an analysis of its clinical efficacy. These results indicate that P carinii singly or in combination with other infectious agents may be an important cause of pneumonitis in young, immunocompetent infants with no underlying illnesses.


2009 ◽  
pp. 448-466
Author(s):  
Chiara Cerletti ◽  
Holger Schünemann ◽  
Giovanni de Gaetano

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