Environmental Safety Quality Measures
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops
in a vein deep in the body. According to the American
Heart Association, DVT
strikes one out of every 1,000 adults in the US.
Inactivity, obesity, and smoking
are the three life-style risk factors that patients can modify to reduce the
chance of developing DVT, according to the American
Heart Association. Persons
with cancer or heart disease, or those who have experienced prior DVT, trauma,
or surgery are also at increased risk for DVT.
Until recently, bedrest was often
prescribed for persons with DVT. However, a large study published in Chest (May 2005; 127(5): 1631-1636) indicates that bedrest is not necessary to prevent
pulmonary embolism (movement of DVT blood clot to the lungs). Many hospitalized
persons may not be able to walk, however, due to other conditions and treatments.
A
New England
Journal of Medicine (March 2005; 352(10): 969-977) study showed
significantly less DVT in hospitalized patients whose physicians received computer
notification of the need for DVT prevention, as compared to patients whose
physicians were not notified via computer. Active strategies such as this one
may help to identify at risk patients and encourage preventive therapies because
they remind busy physicians to consider otherwise silent but potentially deadly
risk factors.
There are several strategies used to prevent DVT and related
consequences. Some of the options used by
St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center include:
- oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) to prevent or reduce clot formation
- intravenous anticoagulants to prevent or reduce clot formation
- compression devices for the legs
- walking as indicated to increase circulation