The Danger of Deep Vein Thrombosis

A DVT is a blood clot that can occur anywhere in the body, but these blood clots tend to occur in the deep veins of the legs and thighs. It is critical that these clots are diagnosed and treated promptly to prevent further complications such as a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot travels from the lower extremities

Drawing out blood can be very dangerous for the patient and for the phlebotomist, these injuries can happen before drawing out blood, right after they pull the needle from the vein, when they’re transferring the blood into a tube and they forget to throw away the needle. “Even with legislation and the advancements in safety designs, needlestick injuries still occur” (Daugherty). Although, since 2,000 there has been many technology and legislation advancements to the needles, there hasn't been a way to prevent the injuries from happening because they are needles and when it touches the skin with enough pressure it will go into the skin. Research shows that “In phlebotomy procedures, 62% of injuries occur within seconds after the device is removed

Studies to show which type of leg compression device is optimal for DVT prevention are not available. Knee-length SCD’s are more comfortable to patients, encourages higher levels of compliance and also provide beneficial prophylaxis against DVT.

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot that develops in the leg, thigh or pelvis. Although it is not common during pregnancy (only 1-2 pregnant women out of 1,000 experience it), pregnant women are 5 times more likely to have DVT than non-pregnant women.

A DVT is a thrombus or blood clot that most commonly occurs in deep veins in the leg or pelvis. DVTs usually start distally in the veins of

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a disease that embodies both pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). On the side of research, VTE is the most common preventable cause of hospital-associated mortality and is both the second most common medical complication and cause of excess length of hospital stay (LOS). Furthermore, with appropriate evidence-based prophylactic measures, the occurrence of hospital-associated VTE (HA-VTE) can be reduced by as much as seventy percent. Subsequently, there are approximately between 200,000 and 300,000 VTE-related deaths annually, which is greater than the yearly rate of mortality for breast cancer,

For the collection of data, developed and verified NI surveillance was used. The NI surveillance was useful for measuring both the incidence and risk factors of VAP according to Katherason et al (2009). Demographical data, past medical history, medications, nutritional status, laboratory results, diagnosis, history of illness, etc were all included in the surveillance. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score measured the severity of the illness. The APCHE is comprised of the acute physiological score that entails the major physiological systems and the chronic health evaluation that incorporates the influence of co-morbid conditions on the patient’s current health (O'Keefe-McCarthy, Santiago, & Lau, 2008).

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) happens when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, it usually takes place in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause swelling or leg pains, and you may not get any symptoms at all. Deep vein thrombosis can arise if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis can also happen if you don't move for a long time. I can happen sitting in a car for too long, after surgery, following an accident, or when you are confined to a hospital or nursing home bed. DVT is a serious condition because blood clots in your veins can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and lodge in your lungs. It can block the blood flow and cause a pulmonary embolism.

Varices – when blood flow through the portal vein slows, blood from the intestines and spleen backs up into blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus. These blood vessels may become enlarged because they are not meant to carry this much blood. The enlarged blood vessels, called varices, have thins walls and carry high pressure, and thus are more likely to burst. If they do burst, the result is a serious bleeding problem in the upper stomach or esophagus.

Deep vein thrombosis is a type of venous thromboembolism that usually occurs in the legs. 1

The evaluation for DVT in the left leg is blood tests and an immediate Doppler venous ultrasound (US). The blood tests ordered are BMP, CBC, D-dimer and coagulation studies. The CBC is important to determine if an infectious process is occurring. The BMP is important for electrolyte evaluation and the coagulation studies reveal coagulopathies.

DM “lowers life expectancy by up to 15 years”, increasing “the risk for heart disease by 2-4 times”, and “is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and adult-onset blindness” (“Healthy People 2020,” 2016, para. 7). DM is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. accounting for approximately 75,578 deaths annually (”Healthy People 2020,” 2016; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Not only does DM cause multiple aliments throughout the individuals life when it is not adequately controlled, but it also accounts for approximately $245 Billion dollars of the health care spending that is occurring in the U.S. Therefore, increasing the burden on our already taxed health care delivery system.

Anti-embolic stockings work by exerting graded circumferential pressure from distal to proximal regions of the leg conforming to a Sigel pressure profile. These increase blood velocity, promote venous return, and have shown to be effective (Barker, 2011). Intermittent pneumatic compression periodically compresses the calf and thigh muscles, mimicking the muscle pump created by walking, promoting fibrinolysis, and have shown to also be effective (Barker, 2011). Foot impulse devices increase venous outflow and reduce stasis in immobilized patients. They also mimic walking by compressing the plantar venous plexus, and they are effective after orthopedic surgery in reducing asymptomatic DVT (Baker, 2011). Mechanical methods will most likely be used in patients at high risk for bleeding. Physiotherapy and nursing has also been a method used by staff in increasing the prevention of VTE. Risks can potentially be mediated by mechanical calf and foot venous compression, bed exercise, active or passive, and early mobilization, and by hydration (Barker,

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a disorder that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside the body. It is mainly associated with veins in the legs, usually in the lower leg and thigh, but may occur in other parts of the body. About half of the people who have DVT show no symptoms, but people who sit for long periods, are over 60 and smoke are at higher risk, and should be aware of possible signs of a problem.

Recently, however, there has been widespread use of the less invasive duplex ultrasound to assess the deep and superficial venous systems, allowing treatment to be much more focussed, as well as reducing the likelihood of trauma. The Duplex Ultrasound machine works by assessing the direction and speed of blood flow, whilst producing a direct ultrasound picture of the enlarged veins on a screen. This allows the specialist to map the distribution of veins.