Improving 1-Deamino-8-D-Arginine Vasopressin (DDAVP) Challenges in Pediatric/Young Adult Patients With Bleeding Disorders: A Quality Improvement Study

Desmopressin (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin [DDAVP]) has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment option for patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Because of individuals' variable response to the medication, it is recommended to complete a challenge to document appropriate hemostatic response to the medication before recommending its use prior to surgical procedures or treatment of bleeding symptoms. The project aimed to reduce the errors in hemostatic response assessments for patients with bleeding disorders undergoing a DDAVP challenge (process outcome), particularly timing and number of blood samples drawn, from an error rate baseline of 36% to 0% by December 2021 and sustained for one year.