Invention:
This invention describes a method for ensuring the appropriate evaluation and diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). This method involves a novel scoring system for HIT based on drug administration and platelet counts over time, along with recommendations for proper treatment of HIT’s side effects.
Background:
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occurs in 0.5% to 1% of patients exposed to unfractionated heparin for medical and surgical indications. Traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment include platelet count versus time graphs and 4Ts score calculators which determine the need for immunoassay order for treatment. Appropriate evaluation of HIT is imperative because of potentially life-threatening complications; however, over-testing and overdiagnosis of HIT are common. This clinical decision support (CDS) system can ultimately help guide diagnostic decisions to ultimately reduce unnecessary HIT testing and misdiagnosis.
Applications:
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) diagnostic
- Clinical decision support for HIT
Advantages:
- Improved algorithm for HIT diagnosis
- Improves clinical decision support (CDS)
- Reduces unnecessary treatment of HIT
- Saves time and funds by eliminating unnecessary testing
