Browsing by Author "Wehmeyer, Alexander Stefan"

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    Venous thromboembolism risk assessment and prophylaxis in selected public sector hospitals in the Cape Town metropole
    (University of the Western Cape, 2021) Wehmeyer, Alexander Stefan; Coetzee, Renier
    Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is reported to be the leading cause of death in hospitalised patients worldwide. Thromboprophylaxis provides a well-established and evidence-based approach to preventing VTE. This approach employs individualised patient risk stratification followed by the provision of pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological prophylaxis. Although various VTE risk assessment models (RAMs) are available, the Caprini RAM offers an objective, evidence-based and validated approach to risk assessment in hospitalised medical patients. Literature findings are indicative of a trend towards both under- and inappropriate VTE prophylaxis prescribing in this patient population. Together with the reported lack of medical practitioner appreciation for VTE risk assessment, the necessity to explore these aspects of practice is evident. Methods: This study used a retrospective, cross-sectional study design. It was conducted at one regional- and two district-level public hospitals in the Cape Town Metropole in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Medical folders of all adult hospitalised medical patients who were admitted to a general medical ward between January and July 2020 were retrospectively reviewed using a uniquely designed data collection tool. The data collection tool included the 2013 version of the Caprini RAM, which was employed to document VTE risk factors and assess overall VTE risk. Thromboprophylaxis regimens prescribed as well as contraindications to pharmacological thromboprophylaxis were also reviewed