Hospitalized medical patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) across the continuum of care, including after hospital discharge. In the APEX Trial of hospitalized patients with acute medical illness, extended-duration post-discharge thromboprophylaxis with oral betrixaban reduced the frequency of asymptomatic proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT), symptomatic proximal or distal DVT, symptomatic nonfatal pulmonary embolism (PE), or VTE-related death compared with short-duration enoxaparin. Obstacles to integration of these data in the hospitalized Medical Service patient population, including failure to identify at-risk patients, educational gaps in strategies for VTE prevention after discharge, and medication nonadherence, can be overcome with alert-based computerized decision support. This study is a single-center, 400-patient, randomized controlled trial of an EPIC Best Practice Advisory (BPA; alert-based computerized decision support tool) to increase prescription of extended-duration post-discharge thromboprophylaxis and decrease symptomatic VTE in high-risk patients hospitalized with medical illness.
Specific Aim #1: To determine the impact of electronic alert-based CDS (EPIC Best Practice Advisory \[BPA\]) on prescription of extended-duration post-discharge thromboprophylaxis in high-risk patients hospitalized with medical illness who are not being prescribed any prophylactic anticoagulation for VTE prevention after discharge.
Specific Aim #2: To estimate the impact of electronic alert-based CDS (EPIC BPA) on the frequency of symptomatic VTE in high-risk patients hospitalized with medical illness who are not being prescribed any prophylactic anticoagulation for VTE prevention after discharge.
Age ≥60
Prior VTE OR
History of cancer
None
Parallel
Electronic alert
BehavioralOn-screen electronic alert that notifies the provider about the increased risk for VTE after discharge and indication for thromboprophylaxis will be issued 48 hours after admission. This first on-screen electronic alert will provide the clinician with the opportunity to consider extended-duration, post-discharge thromboprophylaxis and start any required processes for prior authorization or medication coverage. The provider then will be given on-screen options to either order thromboprophylaxis (betrixaban or low-molecular weight heparin for 35 days) from a "Extended-Duration VTE Prevention" order template, follow a link to evidence-based practice guidelines, or defer prescribing extended-duration, post-discharge thromboprophylaxis.
Frequency of prescription of extended-duration post-discharge thromboprophylaxis.
Investigators will review the order entry section of the Electronic Health Record (EPIC) to make this determination.
Frequency of symptomatic VTE at 90 days from randomization.
Investigators will review the notes and diagnostic testing sections of the Electronic Health Record (EPIC) to make this determination. The proposed study will not be powered to show a difference in clinical events, such as symptomatic VTE, with the electronic alert-based CDS but will provide estimates from which to plan a possible subsequent multi-center trial.
Frequency of major bleeding (as defined by the ISTH bleeding classification system) at 90 days from randomization.
Investigators will review the notes and diagnostic testing sections of the Electronic Health Record (EPIC) to make this determination. The proposed study will not be powered to show a difference in clinical events, such as bleeding, with the electronic alert-based CDS but will provide estimates from which to plan a possible subsequent multi-center trial.
Frequency of all-cause mortality at 90 days
Any death confirmed by medical record
Frequency of all-cause rehospitalization at 90 days
Any rehospitalization confirmed by medical record
Medication adherence
The proportion of patients who completed the 35-day course of post-discharge thromboprophylaxis.
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
Lead sponsor
Portola Pharmaceuticals
Collaborator
