Evaluation of antithrombotic usage for XXXX in aged care facilities.

@entity1 @entity64 @entity9598 @entity1031 @entity955 @entity1229
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: @entity1229 is an important drug for the prevention of @entity1031 events such as @entity64 in @entity1 with @entity955 ( @entity955 ). However, it is commonly implicated in major adverse drug events, which may result in reluctance to prescribe @entity1229 , especially in the institutionalised elderly population. This study aimed to assess the current trends in the antithrombotic management of @entity955 in aged care facilities (ACFs) in Tasmania, Australia, and to compare this with current recommendations. METHODS: We performed a non-experimental, retrospective cohort study designed to evaluate antithrombotic usage for @entity955 in @entity9598 residents in Tasmania. Residents with @entity955 were identified on a @entity1 -by- @entity1 basis from residential case-note summaries collected from 29 of the 64 ACFs in Tasmania. The CHADS-2 score and the presence or absence of documented contraindications were used to determine the appropriateness of the current antithrombotic therapy prescribed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Fifteen per cent (262/1737) of the @entity9598 residents were diagnosed with @entity955 . Nine per cent of the residents with @entity955 had a contraindication to antithrombotic therapy (either @entity1229 or antiplatelet therapy). Eighty-one per cent of residents were eligible for treatment with @entity1229 according to the CHADS-2 score and did not appear to have a contraindication to @entity1229 . Of these, only 38% were prescribed @entity1229 ; 16% (40/255) did not receive any antithrombotic treatment, despite being eligible for treatment with @entity1229 or antiplatelet therapy. Residents who did not receive any antithrombotic treatment or who received antiplatelet treatment were significantly older than those treated with anticoagulants. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that antithrombotic therapy, particularly @entity1229 , is underused in @entity9598 -dwelling elderly @entity1 who are eligible for treatment.
