The development of blood clots, or pulmonary embolism (PE)/deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is one of the risks after surgery. This may occur because you spend more time in bed recovering after surgery and are not moving around as much as you usually do during the course of the day. Some people are more prone to developing blood clots than others due to family medical histories or other types of situations.
How Are We Performing?
NEBH protocols are very focused on unearthing blood clots. We utilize detailed monitoring techniques designed to provide increased sensitivity and improve patient care.
How Do We Continuously Improve?
NEBH employs a number of safeguards against developing blood clots. These activities occur before, during, and after hospitalization, and include:
- Before surgery, a detailed history and physical is obtained to assess patients and determine those at a high risk for blood clots. A plan to manage higher-risk patients is developed before surgery for specialized care during hospitalization and at discharge.
- You may also be given a blood thinner to help prevent the development of blood clots in the hospital and possibly at discharge.
- Special leg wraps and support stockings that promote blood flow are applied and worn in the operating room, in the recovery room, and during the postoperative phase.
- A device is worn on the legs that inflates and deflates around the calf to massage legs and keep blood moving.
- Members of the NEBH care team encourage patients to move frequently and complete special leg exercises while in bed.
- Members of the NEBH care team assist patients with early ambulation/mobility and promote patients to eat meals out of bed in a chair
- NEBH conducts research to further advance our practice to best protect our patients from this complication.
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