Monitoring patients on heparin

[CTnuse]

What is your protocol on monitoring APTTs on patients with heparin gtts?

Do you differentiate between standard nomagram and a modified nomagram.

I have seen too many people bleed or develop large hematomas because thier APTT has not been checked for more than 6 hours and it is way over limit.

Any imput would be greatly appreciated as I am trying to change our practice to make it safer.

Denise:)

[gilf7243]

At our hospital we have a thing called Pharmacy dosing for heparin that the doctor writes for on the physician orders. When this is ordered the pharmacist tells you what to start the dosing at and when to put an order in for the next aptt. Usually it is every 12 hours. I know in CCU they dose it themselves and from what I hear it is much different from what the pharmacy uses. This is the only help I can give you. I am not trained to do heparin dosing in my department.

[louiemed5]

Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your help! :)