Instituting Change in Blood Clot Prophylaxis Protocol for Perioperative Patients

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Katherine Searcy (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Perioperative blood clots are a common, preventable occurrence in the healthcare setting. Patients\r\nundergoing surgery are at high risk for developing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary\r\nembolus (PE) for a variety of reasons. Mechanical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis\r\nusing either sequential compression devices or compression stockings has been shown to be\r\neffective at preventing blood clots in this patient population. However, compliance with these\r\ndevices can be hard to achieve. The purpose of this project was to implement a series of changes\r\nin mechanical VTE prophylaxis protocols, with a goal of decreasing the number of perioperative\r\nblood clots at a small, rural hospital in eastern North Carolina. Interventions were implemented\r\nover a 12-week period consisting of six Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle reviews. Although staff\r\nrated themselves as more knowledgeable and confident about blood clots and mechanical VTE\r\nprophylaxis after education, mechanical VTE compliance rates did not significantly increase. No\r\nblood clots were found during the implementation period. There are several implications from\r\nthese findings for healthcare systems, including decreased harm to the patient population and\r\ndecreased costs for healthcare organizations.

Additional Information

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Searcy, K. (2022). Instituting change in blood clot prophylaxis protocol for perioperative patients. [Doctor of Nursing Practice project report, East Carolina University College of Nursing]. The ScholarShip.\r\n\r\nEnd citation: (Searcy, 2022). \r\nNarrative citation: Searcy (2022)

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

DVT;PE;mechanical VTE prophylaxis;compliance;blood clot

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