Decreasing the Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis Through the Use of Prophylaxis

ABSTRACT
• EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after undergoing surgery. Deep vein thromboses that result in pulmonary embolisms (PEs) are believed to be one of the most frequently occurring, preventable killers of hospitalized patients.
• STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING a patient from developing DVT include implementing chemical or mechanical prophylaxis or a combination of the two.
• BY INSTITUTING a DVT-assessment program, implementing mechanical DVT prophylaxis, and educating nurses and patients, the incidence of DVTs in orthopedic patients can be reduced, leading to fewer deaths from PEs. AORN J 84 (October 2006) 642-645. © AORN, Inc, 2006.