Diffusion of Use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thrombosis on the Medicine Services

The purpose of this research is to gain insight into the way in which physicians adopt new practice techniques. In particular, we are interested in how medical innovations diffuse throughout social networks. We wish to examine the diffusion of Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) use for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) throughout the social network of general internal medicine interns, residents, and attendings at the University of Chicago Hospital. In numerous clinical trials, LMWH has been demonstrated to be as effective as unfractionated heparin as a bridge to long-term anticoagulation therapy with Coumadin, with the added benefit of early discharge from the hospital with easy dosing, no need for monitoring, and home therapy. A DVT critical pathway was established at the U of C in 1998, and LMWH was used off-label for that purpose beginning in 1997. However, it is unclear how quickly the use of LMWH was adopted by the physicians on the general medicine services, or whether there exists a pattern for this adoption.

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Key information

Conditions

Thrombosis Cardiovascular Diseases Embolism and Thrombosis Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

The University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

About this study

The design of our study is retrospective in nature. We are interested primarily in the use of LMWH in patients admitted to the general medicine services between January 1, 1997 and February 1, 2001 with a primary and secondary diagnosis related to Venous Thromboembolism, including specific ICD-9 codes.

Using a data abstraction form, we gather the following information: 1) patient demographics, 2) identity of the attending, resident, and interns caring for the patient, 3) whether the patient had any absolute or relative contraindications for receiving LMWH, as delineated by the DVT critical pathway, including insurance status and 4)how the patient was treated for his/her condition. To examine whether the identity of the primary care physician affects whether LMWH is given, we also collect the name of the primary care physician if it is listed on the chart.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients admitted to General Medicine Services with a primary or secondary diagnosis related to venous thromboembolism

Exclusion criteria

Non-General Medicine Services patients

Treatment and study plan

observation

Behavioral

Using a data abstraction form, we wish to gather the following information: 1) Patient demographics 2) identity of the attending, residents, and interns caring for the patient 3)whether the patient had any absolute or relative contraindications for receiving LMWH 4) how the patient was treated for his/her condition

Primary outcomes

retrospective chart review to determine how patients with deep venous thromboses or pulmonary emboli were treated when hospitalized on the medicine services

Time frame: June 1997 to December 2000

Using the data abstraction form, we gathered the following information: 1) patient demographics, 2) the identity of the attending, resident, and intern caring for the patient, 3) whether the patient had any absolute or relative contraindications for receiving LMWH, as delineated by the DVT critical pathway, including insurance status and 4) how the patient was treated for his/her condition.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Chicago

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2001
Primary completion: 2001
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Sep 20, 2005
Registry last updated: Apr 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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