RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health issue worldwide. Data about VTE prophylaxis practices in developing countries are scarce. OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of this survey were to define the VTE risk factors in hospitalized patients, to determine the rates of VTE prophylaxis administration and guideline compliance and to assess the effects of an educational program on VTE prophylaxis practices in Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on 1219 patients from twenty hospitals in Iran were extracted from the AVAIL-ME Extension project main databank. VTE risks were categorized according to the Caprini Risk Assessment Model. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess factors influencing VTE prophylaxis. We also examined the impact of an educational program which consisted of awareness, risk assessment, internal protocol implementation and re-assessment, on VTE prophylaxis practices. RESULTS: Of 1219 patients, 789 (65%) and 430 (35%) were surgical and medical, respectively. VTE risks, categorized in low, moderate, high and very high were detected in 14%, 17%, 26% and 43% of patients respectively with a total of 1042(85%) patients being at risk for VTE. Of 882 (85%) eligible patients for VTE prophylaxis, 737 (83.5%) received any drug prophylaxis of whom 265 (62%) were medical and 472 (60%) were surgical. ACCP guidelines compliance was 60% and 33% in surgical and medical patients respectively. Any VTE prevention, drug prophylaxis, mechanical prophylaxis and guideline adherence were, 48% vs. 64%, 45% vs. 60%, 6% vs. 9% and 34% vs. 45% respectively (p<00.1) before and after implementation of the VTE educational program. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an overall improvement in VTE prevention, areas such as inappropriate use of VTE prophylaxis in a large number of patients, significant under-use of mechanical devices and guideline adherence require closer attention. VTE awareness education is beneficial in improving VTE prophylaxis in Iran.