Increasing optimal coagulation factor dosing in the paediatric emergency department: Update to a quality improvement study

IntroductionPrompt, appropriate coagulation factor replacement according to injury and bleeding severity in persons with haemophilia is required to prevent acute and long-term complications.AimsIncrease proportion of persons with haemophilia A (HA) and B (HB) treated appropriately for an acute injury and bleeding episode at a tertiary children's emergency department (ED) from 65% to 85% and sustain for one year. Secondary aim: increase time interval between patient ED encounters with out-of-range factor dosing.MethodsUtilizing quality improvement methodology and plan-do-study-analyze cycles, ED encounters for individuals with HA/HB receiving coagulation factor replacement for injuries were audited for in-range coagulation factor dosing. Goal factor dose defined as 50% correction for minor bleeds and 100% correction for major bleeds. Optimal dosing range defined as 90%-120% of the calculated goal dose to account for vial size variability. Interventions targeted communication via the EMR problem list and optimization of physician education.ResultsOur previous publication demonstrated 33.3% of ED encounters with out-of-range factor replacement. Following several interventions, the cumulative rate of encounters with out-of-range dosing decreased to 18%. Overall, there was an increase in the mean percent of encounters receiving optimal factor dosing for both HA/HB compared to baseline (82.2% vs. 71.1%), though this was not a statistically significant difference.ConclusionDespite implementation of multiple interventions, out-of-range factor dosing continues to occur. Our team plans to reinstate simulation center education for ED staff and continue education efforts of pharmacists and hematology trainees with the goal of further reducing out-of-range dosing in our ED.