Introduction: The treatment of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is increasingly managed in an outpatient setting. This is the first retrospective study of an outpatient treatment program for DVT patients in a Danish hospital.
Materials and methods: Case records from all DVT patients treated at Frederikshavn Hospital between 1997 and 2003 were studied to analyse patient characteristics and the risk of pulmonary embolism, bleeding and recurrence. Questionnaires about the use of outpatient treatment programs were sent to all Danish hospitals.
Results: A total of 265 patients were registered, of whom 141 (53.2%) were treated in an inpatient setting, 120 (45.3%) were treated only in an outpatient setting and 4 (1.5%) underwent initial inpatient treatment for less than 24 hours followed by outpatient treatment. The percentage of patients in ambulatory care increased during the study period. Outpatient treatment proved to be as safe as treatment during hospitalisation. Most hospitals reported that the majority of DVT patients are still managed in primary hospitalisation.
Conclusion: The organisation used by Frederikshavn is recommended to hospitals that plan to utilise an outpatient treatment program for DVT patients. A certain delay must be expected in the transition from an inpatient to an outpatient setting. International studies have documented the cost-effectiveness as well as patient benefits and preferences from such programs.