An informatics approach to facilitate clinical management of patients with retrievable inferior vena cava filters Journal Article


Authors: Juluru, K.; Elnajjar, P.; Shih, H. H.; Hiestand, B.; Durack, J. C.
Article Title: An informatics approach to facilitate clinical management of patients with retrievable inferior vena cava filters
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. Long indwelling times for inferior vena cava (IVC) filters that are used to prevent venous thromboembolism can result in complications. To improve care for patients receiving retrievable IVC filters, we developed and evaluated an informatics-based initiative to facilitate patient tracking, clinical decision-making, and care coordination. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A semiautomated filter-tracking application was custom-built to query our radiology information system to extract and transfer key data elements related to IVC filter insertion procedures into a database. A web-based interface displayed key information and facilitated communication between the interventional radiology clinical team and referring physicians. A set of filter management options was provided depending on each patient’s clinical condition. The system was launched in April 2016. Using retrospective observational cohort methods, we compared filter retrieval rates during a test period from July through December 2016 with a control period of the same 6 months in 2015. RESULTS. System development required approximately 100 hours of development time. Two hundred ninety-three IVC filter placements and 83 filter retrievals were tracked during the study periods. The overall filter retrieval rate was 23% in the control period and 34% in the test period. Mean times from filter placement to retrieval in the control and test periods were not significantly different (88.9 and 102.7 days, respectively; p = 0.32). CONCLUSION. A semiautomated approach to tracking patients with IVC filters can facilitate care coordination and clinical decision-making for a device with known potential complications. Similar applications designed to improve provider communication and documentation of filter management plans, including appropriateness for retrieval, can be replicated. © American Roentgen Ray Society.
Keywords: safety; filter clinic; inferior vena cava (ivc) filter; retrievable filter; u.s. food drug administration (fda)
Journal Title: American Journal of Roentgenology
Volume: 211
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0361-803X
Publisher: American Roentgen Ray Society  
Date Published: 2018-09-01
Start Page: W178
End Page: W184
Language: English
DOI: 10.2214/ajr.18.19561
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6139028
PUBMED: 29975114
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 October 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Jeremy Charles Durack
    116 Durack
  2. Krishna   Juluru
    35 Juluru
  3. Hao-Hsin Shih
    6 Shih