ThP6.13 - A closed loop clinical audit on adherence of weight-based and renal function-adjusted venous thromboprophylaxis prescribing to local guidelines in emergency general surgical patients

Abstract Aims to audit adherence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis according to local trust guidelines in a single-centre emergency general surgery department, adjusting doses based on weight and renal function (creatinine clearance). Following initial audit of practice, intervention to improve local practice was implemented with informative posters and teaching sessions, aiming to improve overall adherence to guidelines and limit risk of complications from incorrect dosing. Methods A two-cycle snapshot audit of VTE prophylaxis prescribing was conducted in a district general hospital emergency general surgery department against local guidelines concerning VTE prophylaxis. All current inpatients admitted under general surgery were included in the study reviewing baseline characteristics including age, weight, and creatinine clearance. Results The first cycle audited the adherence of departmental practice against guidelines in 57 inpatients. 49 (86.0%) were prescribed VTE prophylaxis in accordance with local guidelines. Of the 8 patients who did not adhere to guidelines, 5 (62.5%) had no VTE prophylaxis prescribed, while 3 (37.5%) had incorrect doses prescribed for their weight or renal function. The second cycle audited 43 inpatients. 39 (90.7%) adhered to guidelines. All re-audited patients had the correct VTE prophylaxis prescribed, although there was no VTE prophylaxis prescribed in 4 (9.3%) patients. There were no bleeding or thromboembolic complication in any patients over the course of admission in both cycles of this audit. Conclusion Adherence to local guidelines concerning VTE prophylaxis was increased following intervention. This eliminated VTE prophylaxis prescribing errors, although did not improve the amount of VTE prophylaxis prescription omissions.