Total Knee Replacement Quality Measures
Because of the body's normal response to surgery and the
reduction in activity that usually follows surgery, blood clot, or thrombus,
formation can be a common complication. A thrombus is a blood clot that blocks
a blood vessel and reduces blood flow. A thrombus can also dislodge and travel
to other parts of the body, such as the heart, lungs, or brain.
Preventive or
prophylactic steps can be taken to decrease the chance of developing a blood
clot (thrombosis). The Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) recommends that a venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment be performed
within 24 hours of admission to the hospital or intensive care unit. Treatment
options should be evaluated for patients who are at high risk for a thrombus
or VTE.
Surgery complications such as the formation of a blood clot
within a vein have been significantly reduced by using blood thinning medications
and other treatments, such as early mobilization and physical therapy, range-of-motion
exercises, elastic stockings, and intermittent pneumatic compression devices
(The
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, September, 2005: 87-A; 2097-2112).
At
St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center, one or more types of treatments, such as blood thinning medications,
early mobilization and physical therapy, range-of-motion exercises, elastic
stockings, and intermittent pneumatic compression devices are available to help
prevent blood clots, for patients having total knee replacement.