Vte Prophylaxis Research Papers

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a huge concern for health authorities as many healthcare providers aren’t following recommended procedures, in spite of being educated about the needs of VTE prophylaxis. VTE, which is the most common cause of preventable death in healthcare settings, can either be in the form of coagulated (clotted) blood in peripheral veins, or pulmonary embolism (PE), where the clots travel to the lungs. VTE prophylaxis can help prevent these clots form forming and reduce mortality by as much as 80%,
A recent study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, shows that, education notwithstanding, many patients did not receive the recommended treatment.
As part of the study, investigators collected data from patients’ charts in a university-affiliated, heart-care center. The center included a clinical teaching
In the first set of data, the patient charts of 173 patients considered at high risk for VTE were evaluated. In the second set of data, the same was done for 247 patients.
The results of the study were not very encouraging. Before the educational efforts, 36% of all patients considered at risk for VTE did not receive prophylaxis. Three months after the program was initiated, the recommended guidelines for VTE prophylaxis were not being adhered to in 21%. Two months later that number rose to 28%.
To throw some light on why VTE prophylaxis was receiving such low priority, lead investigator Colette Seifer, MB (Hons), FRCP (UK), Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba says. “The huge problem with an inpatient teaching model is that it involves a single time point intervention. As there is a high turnover of senior and junior physicians as well as nursing staff, the communication is not enough to result in a sustained improvement in VTE prophylaxis