Improving blood clot prevention after cancer surgery

An Equity Focused Intervention to Improve Utilization of Guideline Concordant Extended Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Major Cancer Surgery

Not applicable Interventional Medical University of South Carolina · NCT06451003

This study is testing whether teaching surgeons and using a decision support tool can help patients who have major cancer surgeries get better blood clot prevention medications.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMedical University of South Carolina Academic / other
Locations1 site (Charleston, South Carolina)
Trial IDNCT06451003 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to enhance the use of medications that prevent blood clots in patients undergoing major cancer surgeries. It will implement a stepped-wedge randomized trial involving surgeon education and an electronic medical record-based decision support tool to promote adherence to guidelines for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The study will focus on surgeons performing abdominopelvic cancer surgeries at the Medical University of South Carolina and will assess the impact of these interventions on prescription rates and patient understanding of blood clot risks.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients undergoing abdominopelvic cancer surgeries such as esophagectomy, gastrectomy, and hysterectomy within the Medical University of South Carolina system.

Not a fit: Patients who have received therapeutic anticoagulation within 30 days prior to surgery or those with chronic kidney disease grade 3 or higher may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the incidence of venous thromboembolism in cancer surgery patients, improving their overall health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar educational and decision support interventions in improving adherence to clinical guidelines, suggesting a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
SURGEON CLUSTER

Inclusion Criteria:

* Surgeons performing cancer surgery within the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) system will be identified. Patients undergoing surgery for included cancers in the three hospitals will be identified using inclusion/exclusion criteria as follows. "Abdominopelvic cancer surgery" includes esophagectomy, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, small bowel resection, colectomy, proctectomy, cystectomy, nephrectomy and hysterectomy / oophorectomy performed for a diagnosis of cancer as identified by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis code.

Exclusion Criteria:

* We will exclude patients receiving preoperative therapeutic anticoagulation within 30 days preoperatively, patients initiating therapeutic anticoagulation postoperatively and patients with chronic kidney disease grade 3 or higher. Patients with postoperative length of stay 30 days or greater will be excluded as ePpx duration is for 30 days postoperative.

PATIENT SURVEY

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing surgery for included cancers in the three hospitals will be identified using inclusion/exclusion criteria as follows. "Abdominopelvic cancer surgery" includes esophagectomy, gastrectomy, pancreatectomy, small bowel resection, colectomy, proctectomy, cystectomy, nephrectomy and hysterectomy / oophorectomy performed for a diagnosis of cancer as identified by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis code.

Exclusion Criteria:

* We will exclude patients receiving preoperative therapeutic anticoagulation within 30 days preoperatively, patients initiating therapeutic anticoagulation postoperatively and patients with chronic kidney disease grade 3 or higher. Patients with postoperative length of stay 30 days or greater will be excluded as extended pharmacologic venous thromboembolism duration is for 30 days postoperative.
* Lack of survey response.

Where this trial is running

Charleston, South Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Venous ThromboembolismPulmonary EmbolismDeep Vein ThrombosisCancerSurgeryvenous thromboembolismpulmonary embolismdeep vein thrombosis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.