Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2735465 | Journal of Pain and Symptom Management | 2006 | 6 Pages |
Palliative care patients are highly prothrombotic, yet there are no national guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). A survey was undertaken to explore thromboprophylaxis practice within British palliative care inpatient units and whether it changed over 5 years in keeping with emerging evidence. A descriptive semistructured telephone survey was conducted in April, 2000 and March, 2005 to explore current thromboprophylaxis practice. Seventy-four percent of units participated in 2000 and 91% participated in 2005. Units surveyed in 2000 revealed that 2% had thromboprophylaxis guidelines and up to 75% would stop ongoing low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in a highly prothrombotic, good prognosis inpatient. The survey in 2005 indicated that thromboprophylaxis guidelines were being developed in 19% of units and only 18% of units surveyed would stop LMWH in a patient already receiving thromboprophylaxis (P < 0.001). There appears to be a growing awareness of the problem of VTE in British palliative care inpatients, as evidenced by changes in attitudes and practice. Reasons for this are discussed.