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Blood Clot Prevention and Treatment

Quality Measures: Blood Clot Prevention and Treatment

VTE's (blood clots) can affect men and women of all ages, races and ethnicities. Blood clots form when something slows or blocks the flow of blood in the veins. Extended hospital stays or being immobile for long periods of time increase the risk of developing a blood clot. Blood clots can cause heart attack, stroke and damage organs in the body and claim 44,000 lives each year. The risk of developing blood clots is reduced through methods that increase blood flow including foot/leg exercises, specialized garments and medications.

Virtua - 88%
NJ - 94%
National - 93%

Warfarin therapy discharge instructions

This measures the percentage of venous thromboembolism patients that are discharged on warfarin with written discharge instructions that address compliance issues, dietary advice, follow-up monitoring, and information about the potential for adverse drug reactions/interactions.


Why is this important?
Patients benefit from education about the potential consequences of both their disease and its treatment. Anticoagulation therapy poses risks to patients due to complex dosing, requisite follow-up monitoring and inconsistent patient compliance. The use of standardized practices for anticoagulation therapy that includes patient/caregiver involvement may reduce the risk of adverse drug events.

Virtua - 0%
NJ - 2%
National - 2%

Hospital acquired potentially preventable venous thromboembolism

This measures the percentage of patients diagnosed with venous thromboembolism during hospitalization (not present on admission) who did not receive VTE prophylaxis between hospital admission and the day before the VTE diagnostic testing order date.


Why is this important?
Research shows that patients who receive VTE prophylaxis have lower risk for medical complications, extended length of stay as well as mortality.

CURRENT DATA COLLECTION

Virtua Data Range: July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

National Data Range: Oct. 1, 2015 - Sep. 30, 2016