Evaluation of thromboprophylaxis in medium-sized general hospital

CONTEXT: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious, common disease whose complications include pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and postthrombotic syndrome. The importance and benefits of correct and effective pharmacological prophylaxis for DVT are well documented.OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate adequacy of prophylaxis for DVT and PTE at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ponta Grossa (SCMPG), Paraná, Brazil, and determine risk stratification for patients hospitalized in this institution.METHODS: A cohort study was conducted to assess DVT prophylaxis of patients hospitalized on May 15th, 2009. The study population consisted of a sample of 104 patients, subdivided into clinical and surgical groups and stratified into different specialties. Correct use of DVT prophylaxis was evaluated according to recommendations published by The Brazilian Society for Angiology and Vascular Surgery and took into account prophylactic methods specified explicitly in information found in each patient's medical chart.RESULTS: Of the 104 patients interviewed, 51 (49.04%) were clinical patients and 53 (50.96%) surgical. Based on risk stratification, 17 (16.35%) were classified as low risk, 37 (35.58%) as moderate risk, 46 (44.23%) as high risk and 4 (3.85%) as extremely high risk for DVT/PTE. A total of 68 patients (65.38%) received prophylaxis, but of these only 56 (53.85%) received the correct prophylaxis, and 36 (34.62%) did not receive any prophylaxis.CONCLUSION: The rates of prophylaxis use for DVT and PTE in this service are higher than rates published in the literature.