Study of Electronic Alerts to Improve Prevention of Blood Clots After Hospital Stay in Adults 40 and Older Randomized Trial of Computerized Decision Support for Venous Thromboembolism Prevention

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying hospitalized medical patients who face a higher risk of venous thromboembolism VTE during and after their hospital stay. This trial evaluates whether an electronic alert system integrated into the hospitals electronic health record EPIC Best Practice Advisory can increase the prescription of extended-duration blood clot prevention medication after discharge in high-risk patients. The study also aims to estimate the effect of this alert system on reducing symptomatic VTE events. The trial involves a single-center randomized controlled design with 400 patients aged 40 years or older hospitalized for acute medical illnesses such as heart failure, respiratory failure, infectious disease, rheumatic disease, or ischemic stroke. Patients must have reduced mobility and at least one additional VTE risk factor like age 60 or older, prior VTE, or a history of cancer, and they should not be prescribed clot prevention medication at discharge. Participants are randomly assigned to either receive electronic alerts that prompt clinicians to consider extended-duration thromboprophylaxis with medications like betrixaban or low-molecular weight heparin for 35 days, or to a group with no alert. During the study, researchers will monitor prescription rates of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis using the electronic health record. They will also review records for symptomatic VTE events, major bleeding, death, and rehospitalization within 90 days after randomization. Follow-up is done through electronic health record review without additional visits. The study will provide information on the feasibility and impact of using alert-based decision support for VTE prevention across the care continuum.

Computerized Decision Support for Prevention of VTE in Hospitalized Medical Patients Across the Continuum of Care (DC-eALERT)