Overview
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the collective term used to describe deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). What is DVT? DVT is a clot formation within the deep vasculature in the legs. What is PE? PE is a clot within the lungs which usually derives from the DVT. There are multiple risk factors for VTE including venous stasis, hypercoagulable states, immobilization, surgery and trauma, pregnancy, oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement, and malignancy. It is believed that approximately 1 million cases of VTE occur in the U.S. each year, resulting in 300,000 deaths annually, but the exact incidence of VTE is unknown.
DVT and PE, are among the most common preventable causes of in-hospital mortality, according to …show more content…
Implementing the appropriate prevention measure can prevent the occurrence of DVT formations and reduce mortality of hospitalized patients. Utilizing an evidence-based VTE prevention guideline and improving VTE prophylaxis rates for all medical and surgical inpatients is imperative in providing the best care for those who are unable to care for themselves.
Nurses play a crucial role in preventing VTE, not only by implementing evidence-based care but also by communicating current research and recommendations regarding best care practices. VTE often is preventable through use of collaborative care pathways with the use of recommended protocols as part of safe nursing practice (Tietze & Gurley, 2014). Nursing staff can help by identifying process changes that can be instituted to prevent the failure of VTE prophylaxis implementation. These process changes can include check offs imbedded in order sets, handoffs, and electronic …show more content…
In reviewing current policies and protocols, it was found that the use of VTE prophylaxis is considerably less than expected. Nursing staff in general are not fully educated on how to utilize the protocol and have a lack of understanding of the benefits of VTE prophylaxis. The protocol is not clearly defined and many nurses leave the decision up to the physician to order a VTE set, essentially if the MD didn’t order it then the MD didn’t want it. Also, nursing staff fail to adhere to current orders and do not act progressively to reapply mechanical prophylaxis
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the collective term used to describe deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). What is DVT? DVT is a clot formation within the deep vasculature in the legs. What is PE? PE is a clot within the lungs which usually derives from the DVT. There are multiple risk factors for VTE including venous stasis, hypercoagulable states, immobilization, surgery and trauma, pregnancy, oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement, and malignancy. It is believed that approximately 1 million cases of VTE occur in the U.S. each year, resulting in 300,000 deaths annually, but the exact incidence of VTE is unknown.
DVT and PE, are among the most common preventable causes of in-hospital mortality, according to …show more content…
Implementing the appropriate prevention measure can prevent the occurrence of DVT formations and reduce mortality of hospitalized patients. Utilizing an evidence-based VTE prevention guideline and improving VTE prophylaxis rates for all medical and surgical inpatients is imperative in providing the best care for those who are unable to care for themselves.
Nurses play a crucial role in preventing VTE, not only by implementing evidence-based care but also by communicating current research and recommendations regarding best care practices. VTE often is preventable through use of collaborative care pathways with the use of recommended protocols as part of safe nursing practice (Tietze & Gurley, 2014). Nursing staff can help by identifying process changes that can be instituted to prevent the failure of VTE prophylaxis implementation. These process changes can include check offs imbedded in order sets, handoffs, and electronic …show more content…
In reviewing current policies and protocols, it was found that the use of VTE prophylaxis is considerably less than expected. Nursing staff in general are not fully educated on how to utilize the protocol and have a lack of understanding of the benefits of VTE prophylaxis. The protocol is not clearly defined and many nurses leave the decision up to the physician to order a VTE set, essentially if the MD didn’t order it then the MD didn’t want it. Also, nursing staff fail to adhere to current orders and do not act progressively to reapply mechanical prophylaxis