Background: A novel pediatric venous thromboembolism (VTE) screening tool was developed and implemented in 2016 at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Canada, which safely reduced use of thromboprophylaxis by 47.9% with no increase in VTE in the pediatric orthopedic surgical population (POSP). There is currently no data on the current practices or protocols for VTE prophylaxis for POSP in Canada.

Aims: The current survey was designed to assess current practices regarding VTE prophylaxis in POSP in Canada.

Methods: After ethics approval, a 22 question survey was administered electronically to all Canadian Pediatric Orthopaedic Group (CPOG) members. The survey contained questions on respondent demographics and background, current VTE prophylaxis practices and experiences including indications for prophylaxis, existence of VTE protocols and details regarding further potential collaboration. Descriptive statistical analyses were completed on the survey responses.

Results: Of the 100 CPOG members, 49 (49%) responded. Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics and practices of respondents. Table 2 highlights VTE prophylaxis practices and experiences in Canada. 57% (n=28) do not have a defined protocol for VTE prophylaxis and 18% were uncertain if they do. 85% (n=26) were open to utilizing a VTE prophylaxis screening tool and 12% are uncertain if they would be.

Conclusion(s): This study has demonstrated that a uniform protocol for VTE prophylaxis does not exist in most Canadian centres, despite its need. There was a nation-wide interest in adopting a perioperative VTE prophylaxis screening tool to optimize pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis use in POSP. The goal of future research is national implementation and standardization of such a screening tool through collaboration with other institutions in a multi-centre study.

Table 1

Demographics and background information of survey respondents from Canadian Pediatric Orthopaedic Group.

Table 2

VTE prophylaxis practices and experiences in the pediatric orthopedic surgical population in Canada.

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ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/venous-thromboembolism-prophylaxis-use-by-pediatric-orthopedic-surgeons-in-canada/