Do nurses have the switch factor?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Switching between clotting factor products is becoming increasingly common as product choice increases and financial pressure grows to choose the most cost-effective options. Guidance on carrying out the switch recommends a complex and long process that may benefit from being defined in a protocol. Haemophilia nurses may be responsible for managing product switches; anecdotal evidence suggests that clinical practice is variable. Aim To explore the role of specialist nurses in switching between clotting factor products and their use of a protocol. Method Nurses attending the 2018 World Federation of Hemophilia Congress were surveyed about clinical practice at their treatment centre and use of a protocol for switching clotting factor products. Results Of 192 nurses attending the conference, 49 nurses returned completed questionnaires, 45 of which were included in the study after exclusions. Responses were exclusively from economically developed countries. Almost all respondents (96%) had direct experience of switching. Half of those who responded to a question about protocol-based switching reported that switches were based on a protocol. When authorship was reported, the protocol was written by haemophilia nurses in about half of cases. Practice about blood testing to determine individual pharmacokinetic parameters prior to the switch was variable, but most nurses (86%) reported screening for inhibitors prior to switching. Respondents agreed to share their protocols among their peers, although only four were received by the research team. Conclusions Clinical practice in switching between clotting factor products is variable. Some nurses are switching treatments for patients without the supported of a written protocol, whereas others are involved in writing and implementing protocols. Sharing protocols is a first step in helping to establish best practice.