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Prophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolism

Ma, Kiet DO; Alhassan, Sulaiman MD; Sharara, Rihab MD; Young, Meilin MD; Singh, Anil C. MD, MPH, FCCP; Bihler, Eric DO

doi: 10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000161
Original Articles

Venous thromboembolisms are major risk factors for many of our hospitalized patients. These events, however, can be prevented with prophylactic measurements when administered appropriately and on a timely basis. As patients are admitted, discharged, transferred, and scheduled for procedures on an hourly basis, anticoagulation and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis are held or discontinued in anticipation for possible procedures. This results in delay of care and intervals where patients may not be covered with any prophylactic measurements. Similarly, alterations in clinical status can quickly change such as an increase in creatinine levels or the development of a new bleed, thus requiring a revision in their deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. Nurses, therefore, play an integral role in not only administering the medicine but also routinely assessing the patients' clinical status and, therefore, their deep vein thrombosis prophylactic regimens as well. This article will review the indications, scoring systems, common prophylactic methods, and special populations at increased risks for venous thromboembolisms.

Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Internal Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Correspondence: Kiet Ma, DO, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Internal Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network, 320 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (kiet.ma@ahn.org).

The authors have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this article.

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