Project Summary
PCORI implementation projects promote the use of findings from PCORI-funded studies in real-world healthcare and other settings. These projects build toward broad use of evidence to inform healthcare decisions.
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This PCORI-funded dissemination project is providing new evidence to clinicians on medicines to prevent blood clots in patients recovering from a bone fracture. |
Each year, more than one million Americans have surgery to fix a broken bone. During recovery, patients are at increased risk for blood clots. Blood clots form in the veins of the arms and legs. They can be fatal if they travel to the lungs. |
What is the goal of this dissemination project?
Medicines are available to reduce the risk of blood clots during recovery from a fracture. Most guidelines currently recommend a medicine called enoxaparin. Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin. It is injected under the skin. However, a PCORI-funded research study found that aspirin taken by mouth was not inferior to enoxaparin when given after a fracture. Complications like bleeding, infection, blood clots in the lungs, and death occurred at about the same rate for patients taking either medicine. Patients prescribed aspirin were also more likely to be satisfied with and continue taking their medicine.
This project is helping to make clinicians who provide care to patients with fractures aware of these research findings.
What will this project do?
The project team is working with professional societies and journals to distribute surveys to their memberships. These surveys are asking clinicians about:
- Their awareness of the research findings
- Their current prescribing patterns
- How they would prefer to receive information about new findings
The project team is then creating a range of materials. They are working with representatives from professional societies to refine key messages. The team will then distribute the information in the ways most clinicians prefer. They are also identifying clinician champions to further promote the findings.
What is the expected impact of this project?
The project team expects to reach about half of US clinicians who treat fractures and prescribe medicines to prevent blood clots. These clinicians include orthopedic surgeons, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
The evaluation will confirm that the project is working as intended to bring these new findings to clinicians. It will assess increases in knowledge about treatment options. It will also look at data from more than 800 trauma centers across the country to see if prescribing practices change.
More about this implementation project:
Stakeholders Involved in This Project
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Dissemination Strategies
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Evaluation OutcomesTo document implementation:
To assess healthcare and health outcomes:
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Project Information
Key Dates
Initial PCORI-Funded Research Study
This implementation project focuses on putting findings into practice from this completed PCORI-funded research study: Comparing Two Medicines to Prevent Blood Clots after Treatment for Fractures -- The PREVENT CLOT Study
*All proposed projects, including requested budgets and project periods, are approved subject to a programmatic and budget review by PCORI staff and the negotiation of a formal award contract.