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who maintain that these extra steps may provide a silent benefit
against a silent hazard.
Who's at risk?
Impaired circulation and pooled blood can result in the formation of a
blood clot, or thrombus, in a large vein, such as those in the legs. If an
embolus should break from that clot and block the pulmonary artery
in the lungs, the result can be fatal.
While this vascular complication presents unpredictably, it is possible
to identify the patients who are at greater risk of suffering it. "All patients
who are scheduled for outpatient surgery should have a DVT risk factor
assessment at the time of booking, and it should be documented," says
Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC, a clinical nurse consultant with the
Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety in Westborough, Mass.
These assessments will typically arrive by way of physicians' pre-op
consultations, says Sharon Butler, MSN, BSN, RN, a clinical nurse IV at
Stanford University Hospital and Clinics in Palo Alto, Calif. "Unless they
come through the ER, all surgical patients would've spoken before the
day of surgery with a physician, who would have determined their risk
factors well in advance" and ordered the implementation of special pre-
ventative measures in pre-op if they're deemed necessary.
Several different models exist for classifying patients' risk for DVT
and PE, including checklists, grids and automated warnings pro-
grammed into electronic medical records systems.
The logic of preventative efforts
Anti-DVT prophylaxis is patient- and risk-factor specific. The type and
anticipated length of surgery, along with a patient's individual risk pro-
file, are often the primary drivers of the preventative efforts that are
implemented. However, the ability to classify patients as low-risk pop-
D E E P - V E I N T H R O M B O S I S
DVT prevention at home is here!
DVTlite now offers a lightweight mobile
compression device, the Venowave, for use
beyond the day of surgery and throughout the
recovery period at home. The comfortable,
compact design allows for true mobility and
increased patient compliance providing your
patients with the highest level of protection
against DVT.
For more information or to learn about our consignment options for your facility,
call us at (877) 593-3546 or visit www.dvtlite.com.
Fight DVT beyond surgery
A Midwest Medical Company
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