BALANCING THE CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND ECONOMICS ASSOCIATED WITH THROMBOEMBOLIC PROPHYLAXIS

The approach to the treatment of patients is being influenced by the m ovement towards integrating health care services, This trend presents several challenges to health care professionals as patients move throu gh the cycles of wellness, prevention, acute treatment, and after-care , Consequently, the development of treatment guidelines based upon cli nical and economic parameters is critical, Preventing thromboembolic c omplications is receiving a great deal of attention due to the tremend ous medical and economic consequences of deep venous thrombosis and pu lmonary embolism, The early discharge of patients from acute surgical and medical facilities is increasing the need to consider outpatient p rophylaxis, Pharmacoeconomic modeling demonstrates that enoxaparin may be more cost-effective than warfarin for outpatient prophylaxis when used for 3 weeks or less, The requirement of a subcutaneous injection of enoxaparin is not a detraction to this recommendation, Patient self -medication is a common practice and is growing in prevalence, Patient s are eager to learn about their illnesses and treatment options as a result of their attitudes regarding empowerment and responsibility for their own health care.