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Gériatrie et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie du Vieillissement

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Impact of low-molecular-weight heparin practice guidelines in a geriatric hospital Volume 9, issue 2, Mai 2011

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Authors
APHP, Hôpital Bretonneau, Service de gériatrie, Paris, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbone Paris Cité, UFR de Médecine, Paris, APHP, Hôpital Sainte-Périne – Rossini – Chardon-Lagache, Service de médecine gériatrique, Paris

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of good use of anticoagulants guidelines implementation on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prescription in a french geriatric hospital. This interventional “before and after” study was conduced by the same geriatrician on a d-day in 2006 and 2009. Guidelines for anticoagulant's prescription based on selected references in the literature was established by an expert's consensus and implemented in 2008. Data were collected in all departments at the Sainte-Perine geriatric hospital for each patient with an LMWH prescription. Assessment was based on quality judgment criteria (indication, dosage, treatment duration, biological monitoring of LMWH). Data were collected for 72 prescriptions prior to the guidelines implementation and for 54 after. Sex-ratio, mean age and percentage of LMWH prescription did not differ significantly between the two periods. There was a better conformity for LMWH dosage prescription ( p = 0.002) and biological monitoring prescription ( p = 0.036) after the guidelines implementation. Conformity of LMWH indication and treatment duration were improved but the difference remained not significant (respectively p = 0.49 and p = 0.80). Implementing guidelines for LMWH use in geriatrics can improve quality of prescription. The impact was effective but limited. These guidelines are now in general use in the Sainte-Perine hospital.