Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine patient, environment, and treatment factors that are associated with significantly lower rates of intravenous (IV) heparin medication errors.  This Clinical Practice Improvement study is being conducted at 16 West Coast hospitals between November, 2000, and December, 2003.  Data are being collected on 450 patients and multivariate analyses will be performed on all data.

Primary Objectives

1. Reduce the rate of IV heparin medication errors.
   

2. Create research-based optimal treatment protocols for IV heparin use.

METHODS

Detailed patient, treatment, and outcome data are being collected on 450 IV heparin patients.  We will analyze the data to determine IV heparin treatment modalities and facility and system factors that are associated with lower rates of IV heparin medication errors.   Multivariate analyses will control for severity of illness and other patient factors in association with the outcomes of fewer IV Heparin medication errors.