This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8480656.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hospitals 'should screen for DVT' | Hospitals 'should screen for DVT' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
All patients admitted to hospital in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should be assessed for the risk of dangerous blood clots, guidance says. | All patients admitted to hospital in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should be assessed for the risk of dangerous blood clots, guidance says. |
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is focusing on the risk of clots in veins of the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). | The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is focusing on the risk of clots in veins of the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). |
An estimated 25,000 people die from the avoidable condition each year. | An estimated 25,000 people die from the avoidable condition each year. |
Ministers said trusts that fail to act on the guidelines are likely to face financial penalties. | Ministers said trusts that fail to act on the guidelines are likely to face financial penalties. |
Primary Care Trusts could penalise hospitals that fail to screen at least 90% of their patients by withholding a percentage of the value of a contract, which would equate to millions of pounds for the large institutions. | |
From 1 April, a hospital could stand to lose 1.5% of its income through the new Department of Health commissioning for quality and innovation framework. | |
CLOT RISK FACTORS Reduced mobility for three or more daysSurgeryCombined oral contraceptive pillInfectionObesityPregnancyCancerHeart/circulation problems | CLOT RISK FACTORS Reduced mobility for three or more daysSurgeryCombined oral contraceptive pillInfectionObesityPregnancyCancerHeart/circulation problems |
According to doctors, prevention is straightforward, involving leg compression stockings plus a small shot of a blood thinning drug for those at high risk. | According to doctors, prevention is straightforward, involving leg compression stockings plus a small shot of a blood thinning drug for those at high risk. |
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "The Department of Health is prioritising the prevention of venous thromboembolism across the NHS. | Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "The Department of Health is prioritising the prevention of venous thromboembolism across the NHS. |
"I welcome this clear advice from NICE and would expect hospitals to implement it. | "I welcome this clear advice from NICE and would expect hospitals to implement it. |
"It aims to save lives and reduce risks for patients." | "It aims to save lives and reduce risks for patients." |
Preventable deaths | Preventable deaths |
DVT can be fatal if the clot breaks off and travels in the blood up to the lungs and causes a blockage, known as a pulmonary embolism. | DVT can be fatal if the clot breaks off and travels in the blood up to the lungs and causes a blockage, known as a pulmonary embolism. |
Certain people admitted to hospital are known to be at very high risk of problems - for example, those who will be bed-ridden for a long time, those undergoing extensive surgery and patients who are very overweight. | Certain people admitted to hospital are known to be at very high risk of problems - for example, those who will be bed-ridden for a long time, those undergoing extensive surgery and patients who are very overweight. |
But other risk factors that add to this, like dehydration or a women being on the combined contraceptive pill, may not be spotted. | But other risk factors that add to this, like dehydration or a women being on the combined contraceptive pill, may not be spotted. |
NICE says all adult patients, without exception, should be assessed with a check list on being admitted to hospital. | NICE says all adult patients, without exception, should be assessed with a check list on being admitted to hospital. |
Professor Tom Treasure: 'There is no special screening or blood tests' | Professor Tom Treasure: 'There is no special screening or blood tests' |
Professor Tom Treasure, chairman of the guideline development group and a professor or cardiothoracic surgery, said: "It is a silent killer - so it is the responsibility of medical professionals to take the very simple steps set out in the guideline which can help prevent unnecessary deaths and long term illnesses." | Professor Tom Treasure, chairman of the guideline development group and a professor or cardiothoracic surgery, said: "It is a silent killer - so it is the responsibility of medical professionals to take the very simple steps set out in the guideline which can help prevent unnecessary deaths and long term illnesses." |
He said patients should ask for a risk assessment if they are not given one. | He said patients should ask for a risk assessment if they are not given one. |
The risk of DVT will be set against the chance a patient may suffer internal bleeding, which can occur with some health conditions but is also a side-effect of blood thinning drugs. | The risk of DVT will be set against the chance a patient may suffer internal bleeding, which can occur with some health conditions but is also a side-effect of blood thinning drugs. |
Professor Beverley Hunt of the thrombosis charity Lifeblood welcomed the recommendations. | Professor Beverley Hunt of the thrombosis charity Lifeblood welcomed the recommendations. |
She said: "This is a cost-effective way to save lives. It will only take a doctor or nurse a few minutes to do a risk assessment, based on things like the patient's age and what is wrong with them." | She said: "This is a cost-effective way to save lives. It will only take a doctor or nurse a few minutes to do a risk assessment, based on things like the patient's age and what is wrong with them." |