Electronic Alert System for Improving Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Medical Patients

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The investigators aim to investigate whether a computer-based alert system in the electronic patient chart and order entry system using the Geneva Risk Score as clinical decision support tool to estimate the risk of venous thromboembolism improves the rate of appropriate thromboprophylaxis among hospitalized medical patients.

Detailed Description
-----------------
The use of thromboprophylaxis among acutely ill hospitalized medical patients remains inconsistent. The present study aims to improve the use of appropriate thromboprophylaxis by implementing a computer-based alert system combined with a Geneva Risk Score calculation tool in the electronic patient chart and order entry system. Consecutive acutely ill medical patients without indication for therapeutic anticoagulation or ongoing therapeutic anticoagulant treatment admitted to the medical wards of the University Hospital Bern, Switzerland, will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to the alert group in which an alert and the Geneva Risk Score calculation tool will be issued in the electronic patient chart or to the control group in which no alert will be issued. The primary endpoint is the rate of appropriate thromboprophylaxis during hospital stay.

Official Title
-----------------
Electronic Alert System Combined With a Risk Score Calculation Tool for Improving Appropriate Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Medical Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
-----------------
Venous Thromboembolism

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Electronic alert and the Geneva Risk Score calculation tool issued in the electronic patient chart


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Acutely ill medical patients admitted to medical wards Exclusion Criteria: Indication for therapeutic anticoagulation or ongoing therapeutic anticoagulant treatment

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Alert Group<br>Electronic alert and the Geneva Risk Score calculation tool issued in the electronic patient chart | Other: Electronic alert and the Geneva Risk Score calculation tool issued in the electronic patient chart<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control Group<br>No electronic alert and no Geneva Risk Score calculation tool issued in the electronic patient chart | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rate of appropriate thromboprophylaxis |  | During hospital stay (expected average duration of 1 week) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Use of the Geneva Risk Score calculation tool by the physician in charge |  | During hospital stay (expected average duration of 1 week) | 
| Rate of correct calculation of the Geneva Risk Score through the calculation tool by the physician in charge |  | During hospital stay (expected average duration of 1 week) |