DVT Surveillance Program in the ICU: Analysis of Cost-Effectiveness |
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Authors: | Ajai K Malhotra Stephanie R Goldberg Laura McLay Nancy R Martin Luke G Wolfe Mark M Levy Vishal Khiatani Todd C Borchers Therese M Duane Michel B Aboutanos Rao R Ivatury |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America.; 2. Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America.; The National Institute for Health Innovation, New Zealand, |
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Abstract: | BackgroundVenous Thrombo-embolism (VTE – Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) – in traumatized patients causes significant morbidity and mortality. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of DVT surveillance in reducing PE, and performs a cost-effectiveness analysis.MethodsAll traumatized patients admitted to the adult ICU underwent twice weekly DVT surveillance by bilateral lower extremity venous Duplex examination (48-month surveillance period – SP). The rates of DVT and PE were recorded and compared to the rates observed in the 36-month pre-surveillance period (PSP). All patients in both periods received mechanical and pharmacologic prophylaxis unless contraindicated. Total costs – diagnostic, therapeutic and surveillance – for both periods were recorded and the incremental cost for each Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained was calculated.Results4234 patients were eligible (PSP – 1422 and SP – 2812). Rate of DVT in SP (2.8%) was significantly higher than in PSP (1.3%) – p<0.05, and rate of PE in SP (0.7%) was significantly lower than that in PSP (1.5%) – p<0.05. Logistic regression demonstrated that surveillance was an independent predictor of increased DVT detection (OR: 2.53 – CI: 1.462–4.378) and decreased PE incidence (OR: 0.487 – CI: 0.262–0.904). The incremental cost was $509,091/life saved in the base case, translating to $29,102/QALY gained. A sensitivity analysis over four of the parameters used in the model indicated that the incremental cost ranged from $18,661 to $48,821/QALY gained.ConclusionsSurveillance of traumatized ICU patients increases DVT detection and reduces PE incidence. Costs in terms of QALY gained compares favorably with other interventions accepted by society. |
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