Assessment of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Prescribing and Monitoring Pre- and Post-Implementation of a Pharmacy Protocol at a Community Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have become popular alternatives to vitamin K antagonists for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic diseases; however, there are limited data regarding the appropriate use of DOACs in clinical practice. To ensure safety and efficacy of these medications, it is important that decisions regarding their use in patients rely on the available evidence. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of DOAC prescribing in adult patients before and after the implementation of a pharmacist-driven DOAC protocol. Methods: Data were collected on adult patients admitted to a community teaching hospital who received DOAC therapy for at least 2 days between January and March 2015 (pre-intervention group) and between January and March 2016 (post-intervention group). These data were analyzed to measure inappropriately prescribed DOACs, defined based on DOAC indication, renal function, drug interactions, and other pertinent patient-specific factors. Prior to the start of data collection for the post-intervention group, a pharmacist-driven protocol was developed and implemented. DOAC education was provided to pharmacists, including an evidence-based prescribing table to guide appropriate DOAC therapy. Comparisons were made between the pre-intervention and post-intervention groups to determine the impact of the pharmacist-driven service on appropriate DOAC prescribing. Results: Fifty patients were analyzed in the pre-intervention group compared with 85 patients in the post-intervention group, with a total of 333 and 816 doses administered, respectively. Of the total doses administered, 32.4% were considered inappropriate in the pre-intervention group compared with 13.8% in the post-intervention group (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.42, 95% CI, 0.19-0.96; p = 0.039). Conclusions: Implementing a pharmacist-driven DOAC service significantly improved appropriate prescribing of these agents. Provider education regarding DOAC use is essential to further increase appropriate prescribing of DOACs, optimize patients' therapy, and prevent adverse drug events.

Keywords: DOAC; anticoagulation; apixaban; dabigatran etexilate; drug interactions; edoxaban.

Figures

Figure 1.

Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) prescribing table. ABW = actual body weight; BID = twice daily; CrCl = estimated creatinine clearance; DVT/PE = deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism; QDay = every day; SCr = serum creatinine.

Figure 2.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) interacting medications. CrCl = estimated creatinine clearance.