Only 29% receive prophylaxis: DVT prophylaxis often overlooked, experts say.(Clinical Rounds)

Most patients who are at risk for deep vein thrombosis are not receiving prophylaxis in time to prevent the condition and a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism, according to experts in the field.

"We fail to alert and educate providers and health personnel of steps that can prevent [deep vein thrombosis], and fail to monitor their use of these preventive measures," Deputy U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu said at a Washington meeting of the Coalition to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Representing more than 25 medical organizations, the coalition is sponsoring the first Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month in March along with Aventis Pharmaceuticals. The campaign will feature television and radio public service announcements as well as media tours aimed at educating physicians and consumers about DVT.

The member organizations of the coalition include the American College of Physicians. American Osteopathic Association, and American College of Chest Physicians, among others.

The campaign recommends that "every patient who is admitted into a hospital, long-term care facility, or nursing home should be assessed for his/her risk of developing DVT/pulmonary embolism [PE] upon admission, and periodically from then on." The risk assessment and prevention plan should be documented in the patient's records.

Physicians could begin to identify patients who are at risk for DVT by using preprinted admission orders that do not allow one to go to the next page unless the prophylaxis, procedures, or treatment that a patient gets are checked off, Dr. Victor F. Tapson, the American College of Chest Physicians' representative at the meeting, said in an interview.

Computerized entry forms also can put a red flag on the record of a patient who did not receive DVT prophylaxis, without being checked off as not needing prophylaxis. "Education is key, but, certainly, these modes of information can make a difference," Dr. Tapson said.