Tag: Venous Thromboembolism

Watch Out 30 Day Readmissions are Avoidable for Stroke Patients – Startling News Requires Action

By Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC

A recently published study, December 2013, on preventable readmissions within 30 days of ischemic stroke among Medicare beneficiaries looked at the proportion of post stroke readmissions that are potentially preventable or avoidable. This continues to remain unknown. Preventable readmissions were identified based on 14 Prevention Quality Indicators developed for use with administrative data by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. National, hospital-level, and regional preventable readmission rates were estimated.

The findings based on the prevention quality indicators identified a small proportion of readmissions were classified as preventable. Continue reading “Watch Out 30 Day Readmissions are Avoidable for Stroke Patients – Startling News Requires Action” →

Put the “M” Back in Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Implementing VTE Prevention Guidelines

By Lynn Razzano RN, MSN, ONCC

(This article was first published in Ob/Gyn.net.)

Every physician knows that venous thromboembolism (VTE) kills. Often, there are symptoms, such as pain and swelling in the leg or a severe headache. If a patient communicates these symptoms to you, there is a good chance that if a VTE is responsible it can be identified and managed. But sometimes, VTE is sudden and has catastrophic results, as it did with Amee VanTassell, pictured left with her father. She died from a blood clot 4 days after delivering her daughter via cesarean section at the age of 36. Continue reading “Put the “M” Back in Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Implementing VTE Prevention Guidelines” →

“No patients are low risk” when it comes to cesarean delivery and venous thromboembolism, says perinatal expert Dr. Peter Cherouny

by Sean Power
February 4, 2014

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) held on January 22, 2014 a special webinar for the Perinatal Improvement Community on safety recommendations for maternal patients. You can download the webinar recording and slides here.

The webinar featured Peter Cherouny, MD, Emeritus Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Chair and Lead Faculty of the IHI Perinatal Improvement Community and Michael Wong, JD, Executive Director of the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety (PPAHS).

Maternal death rate in the USA has more than doubled in the last 25 years and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that pregnancy-related mortality is rising in the United States. Continue reading ““No patients are low risk” when it comes to cesarean delivery and venous thromboembolism, says perinatal expert Dr. Peter Cherouny” →

Managing Risk and Reducing Readmissions: New Safety Recommendations Prevent Venous Thromboembolism in Maternal Patients

The Risk Management Quarterly, the peer-reviewed journal for The Association for Healthcare Risk Management of New York, Inc. (the NY chapter of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management), recently published in its Fall 2013 edition an article by Lynn Razzano, RN (clinical nurse consultant, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety) and Michael Wong, JD (executive director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety).

This article discusses the OB VTE Safety Recommendations recently released by the Alliance together with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the National Perinatal Association (for a copy of the press release, please click here).

Razzano and Wong explain the importance of the OB VTE Safety Recommendations: Continue reading “Managing Risk and Reducing Readmissions: New Safety Recommendations Prevent Venous Thromboembolism in Maternal Patients” →

New VTE Safety Recommendations Prevent Blood Clots In Pregnant Mothers: Healthcare Organizations Encourage Use of Venous Thromboembolism Recommendations to Reduce Adverse Events and Save Lives

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the National Perinatal Association are pleased to announce the release of safety recommendations targeting the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in maternal patients. Continue reading “New VTE Safety Recommendations Prevent Blood Clots In Pregnant Mothers: Healthcare Organizations Encourage Use of Venous Thromboembolism Recommendations to Reduce Adverse Events and Save Lives” →

Safety Recommendations Address Blood Clot Prevention for Pregnant Mothers: Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Presentation at National Perinatal Association Conference

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety presented a draft of safety recommendations targeting venous thromboembolism (commonly referred to as blood clots) for women having cesarean and vaginal delivery, and the extension of prophylaxis post discharge.

According to the CDC, the maternal death rate in the U.S. has more than doubled since 1987. Continue reading “Safety Recommendations Address Blood Clot Prevention for Pregnant Mothers: Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Presentation at National Perinatal Association Conference” →

Better Education on VTE Prevention Is Needed

By Michael Wong

(For a complete copy of the article and references, please see the post on Ob/Gyn.net)

As blood clots continue to be a leading cause of maternal death in the US, a new study of expectant mothers underscores the need for improved awareness among caregivers about how to best protect their patients from clots before delivery. Continue reading “Better Education on VTE Prevention Is Needed” →

Amber Scott’s story spotlights the risk of blood clots for new and expectant mothers

By Briggs Adams

(This article first posted on TheDoctorWeighsIn.)

More than six weeks after giving birth, Amber Rabalais Scott held her daughter Adeline Elizabeth in her arms for the first time – a milestone that the family and many friends of the 30-year-old Slidell, La., woman won’t ever forget. Continue reading “Amber Scott’s story spotlights the risk of blood clots for new and expectant mothers” →

Maternal Morbidity on the Rise and Likely to Climb Even Higher

By Michael Wong, JD

(This article first published in Becker’s Clinical Quality & Infection Control.)

According to the CDC [1], the maternal death rate in the U.S. has more than doubled since 1987. Continue reading “Maternal Morbidity on the Rise and Likely to Climb Even Higher” →

Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Announces Formation of Safety Checklist Group for VTE Patient Safety

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) announced the formation of a group of renowned health experts to assist in the development of a safety checklist targeting the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in maternal patients (antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum). Continue reading “Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Announces Formation of Safety Checklist Group for VTE Patient Safety” →