Nursing Accountability Vte
Running head: NURSING ACCOUNTABILITY
Nursing Accountability
Sarah Redmond
Grand Canyon University
Professional Dynamics
NRS-430V
July 24, 2011
Nursing Accountability
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a disease that includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). More than 2 million Americans suffer from VTE each year, with over half of these individuals developing their VTE in the hospital or in the 30 days post hospitalization. In a large registry trial capturing more than 5,450 patients at 183 sites over a 6-month period, 50 percent (2,726) developed their VTE during hospitalization. Nurses are accountable in helping change the practice of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.
There are many risk factors that can cause VTE including recent hospitalization, surgery, prolonged immobility, recent travel, trauma, and certain conditions including heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and clotting disorders. In our study, waist circumference was more predictive of a VTE than body mass index. We also found that heavy smoking predicted a VTE, whereas hypertension did not (Hansson et al., 1999).
There are pharmacological and non pharmacological ways to protect patients in the hospital setting. Using these in conjunction with each other is the overall safest method. Non pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis include early ambulation, sequential compression devices (SCD), and compression stockings. Early ambulation promotes venous return and helps minimize length of stay in hospitals. Compression stockings and SCDs help prevent venous stasis. A recent systematic review found that graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices, and foot pumps reduce the risk of DVT in surgical patients by two thirds when used in monotherapy and by an additional 50% when added to drug prophylaxis (Roderick et al., 2005). Pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis include anticoagulants such as low molecular weight
Nursing Accountability
Sarah Redmond
Grand Canyon University
Professional Dynamics
NRS-430V
July 24, 2011
Nursing Accountability
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a disease that includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). More than 2 million Americans suffer from VTE each year, with over half of these individuals developing their VTE in the hospital or in the 30 days post hospitalization. In a large registry trial capturing more than 5,450 patients at 183 sites over a 6-month period, 50 percent (2,726) developed their VTE during hospitalization. Nurses are accountable in helping change the practice of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.
There are many risk factors that can cause VTE including recent hospitalization, surgery, prolonged immobility, recent travel, trauma, and certain conditions including heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and clotting disorders. In our study, waist circumference was more predictive of a VTE than body mass index. We also found that heavy smoking predicted a VTE, whereas hypertension did not (Hansson et al., 1999).
There are pharmacological and non pharmacological ways to protect patients in the hospital setting. Using these in conjunction with each other is the overall safest method. Non pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis include early ambulation, sequential compression devices (SCD), and compression stockings. Early ambulation promotes venous return and helps minimize length of stay in hospitals. Compression stockings and SCDs help prevent venous stasis. A recent systematic review found that graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices, and foot pumps reduce the risk of DVT in surgical patients by two thirds when used in monotherapy and by an additional 50% when added to drug prophylaxis (Roderick et al., 2005). Pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis include anticoagulants such as low molecular weight
References: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/vtguide/vtguideapa.htm Hansson, P.O., Eriksson, H., Welin, L., Svärdsudd, K., Wilhelmsen, L. (1999). Smoking and abdominal obesity. Archives of Internal Medicine, 159(16), 1886-1890. Roderick, P., Ferris, G., Wilson, K., Halls, H., Jackson, D., & Collins, R. et al. (2005). Evidence based guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism. Health Technology Assessment, 9 Wendling, P. (2010). Many at-risk patients lack VTE prophylaxis. American College of Chest Physicians. Retrieved from http://www.chestnet.org/accp/article/chest-physician/many-risk-patients-lack-vte-prophylaxis