Promoting patient safety and improving the quality of patient care
Tag: blood clot
Good news and bad news.
Yes, there have been other things going on in healthcare other than Ebola-mania … thanks @sacbee_news for this illustration putting Ebola in perspective:
The Good News
First, we’ll start with the good news, because most people love a celebration. Continue reading “Weekly Must Reads in Patient Safety (Oct 31, 2014)”
According to the CDC, the maternal death rate in the U.S. has more than doubled since 1987. So, with that shocking statistic in mind, we felt that we had to point out articles dealing with pregnancy … and a reminder that alarm fatigue just doesn’t annoy nurses … and, lastly, one interesting video from Derriford Hospital in the UK that is improving health outcomes for its patients by doing the “wiggle”. Continue reading “Weekly Must Reads in Patient Safety (Sep 26, 2014)”
By Lynn Razzano RN, MSN, ONCC and Michael Wong, JD
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), commonly referred to as blood clots in the legs or lungs) is a common and potentially avoidable cause of death and illness in hospitalized patients. Each year in the United States, it has been estimated that about 300,000 cases of VTE occur. Mortality can be as high as 3.8% in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and 38.9% in those with pulmonary embolism (PE). VTE is associated with a high risk of death in the United States and Europe, with an estimated incidence rate of 1 in 1,000 patients. VTE is particularly common after a stroke. Approximately 20% of hospitalized immobile stroke patient will develop DVT, and 10% a PE. Continue reading “Preventing Blood Clots in Stroke Patients: An Interview with Dr. Martin Dennis on the Clots 3 Study”
Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC, clinical nurse consultant with Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety, recently spoke with Outpatient Surgery about preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism during the perioperative process for same-day surgery patients. Continue reading “Outpatient Surgery Shines Spotlight on DVT Prevention”
By Linda Burke-Galloway, MD, MS, FACOG (Author/Blogger, “The Smart Mother’s Guide to a Better Pregnancy”)
The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety (PPAHS) joined hundreds of other impassioned attendees in Orlando, Florida to attend the 16th Annual NPSF Patient Safety Class from May 14 through May 16, 2014. Over 50 research posters were presented and PPAHS’ poster on the OB VTE Safety Recommendations was one of them. Continue reading “OB VTE Safety Checklist Recommendations Well-Received at NPSF Congress”
By Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC
Following delivery, mothers are at risk for developing blood clots much longer than previously thought – twice as long – according to research presented February 13, 2014 at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference. Continue reading “5 Steps to Keep New Mothers Safer from VTE (blood clot) development”
By Michael Wong, JD, Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety
(This article was first printed in Becker’s Hospital Review. What follows is just an excerpt. To read the full article, please click here.)
Heart-rending cases like that of Steven Spence — a 68-year-old man who suffered a second stroke in his home only hours after being treated for his first one in a hospital — underscore the urgent need to create new standards for in-hospital and transition-of-care treatment of stroke patients, advocated by neurological health and patient safety experts. Continue reading “Recurrent Stroke Victims’ Stories Illustrate Need for New Treatment Guidelines”
Health and safety experts at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) annual meeting held in Chicago from April 26-30, 2014, addressed the rising maternal death rate in the US and the need to take action to keep mothers safe. Continue reading “Preventing Blood Clots in Mothers: IHI Experts and Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Speak at ACOG Annual Meeting”
By Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC
The Boston Herald recently reported that 32-year old Colleen Celia on January 15, 2014, shortly after giving birth to her fourth child. The young mother died from amniotic fluid embolism, where amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream. Continue reading “Clinical Tip: Mother Dies After Childbirth – What you need to know about Amniotic Fluid Embolism Now”
At the recent Crittenden Medical Conference which took place from March 30-April 1, 2014, essential factors for reducing hospital readmissions for the prevention and management of venous thromboembolism (“VTE” or commonly referred to as blood clots) were presented. Continue reading “Reducing Hospital Readmissions”