Identifying Unnecessary and Excessive Use of Intravenous Heparin for the Treatment of Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism
Start Date
5-15-2025 9:30 AM
End Date
5-15-2025 11:30 AM
Description
Problem Statement
- Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is a diagnosis with heterogenous presentations and mortality rates ranging from 2% to 15%.
- European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) as first line therapy in most patients. Despite this, the use of IV heparin in intermediate-risk PE remains widespread, due to uncertainty regarding patients receiving further procedures and mitigation of bleeding risk.
Project AIM:
- We aim to (1) identify prescribing patterns and outcomes of anticoagulant therapy on admission, and (2) propose and implement a "PE Care Pathway" in EPIC to address uncertainty in risk-stratifying and treating patients with intermediate-risk PE.
Keywords
quality improvement, pulmonary embolism, anticoagulation, electronic health record
Identifying Unnecessary and Excessive Use of Intravenous Heparin for the Treatment of Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism
Problem Statement
- Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is a diagnosis with heterogenous presentations and mortality rates ranging from 2% to 15%.
- European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) as first line therapy in most patients. Despite this, the use of IV heparin in intermediate-risk PE remains widespread, due to uncertainty regarding patients receiving further procedures and mitigation of bleeding risk.
Project AIM:
- We aim to (1) identify prescribing patterns and outcomes of anticoagulant therapy on admission, and (2) propose and implement a "PE Care Pathway" in EPIC to address uncertainty in risk-stratifying and treating patients with intermediate-risk PE.
Comments
Presented at the 2025 Jefferson Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit.