33 - Quality Improvement Using A Dedicated IVC Filter Tracking System

Complete IVC filter patient follow-up is a quality goal of The Society of Interventional Radiology.{1} However, IVC filter retrieval rates remain low despite the use of currently available quality improvement tools.{2} This study reports 12-month outcomes from the usage of a new dedicated IVC filter software tool (Filter Tracker (FT) VIR systems, Little Rock, AR, USA).

Materials and Methods:

This study is a multi-site retrospective evaluation of 112 removable IVC filters that were placed between January 2021 and December 2021.

Results:

100% of filters had documented outcomes. The average first patient contact date was 70.8±35.2 days after filter placement. The average filter dwell time was 195.9±109.9 days. 48%(n=54) of the patients were candidates for filter removal. Of these, 53%(n=29) had their filters removed at the time of analysis. Overall, 26%(n=29) of all filters were removed. 19%(n=21) filters were made permanent. 11%(n=12) of patients were pending reassessment at time of analysis. 10%(n=11) of patients required registered letters to be sent due to recurrent non-response. 33%(n=37) of patients were deceased at the time of analysis. 2%(n=2) of patients were scheduled to have their filter removed in the near interim.

Conclusion:

A dedicated filter tracking software can play a pivotal role in meeting patient quality care goals and managing the highly co-morbid IVC filter patient population.