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NEW DRIVE TO SAVE LIVES FROM VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM IN HOSPITAL PATIENTS

News Release issued by the Government News Network on 25 June 2009

Health Minister, Ann Keen, the All Party Chair, John Smith MP, and NHS Medical Director, Sir Bruce Keogh are among the speakers at event to raise awareness of the Department of Health’s prevention strategy for VTE. NHS senior managers will learn of the comprehensive and important drive to save lives from this important cause of avoidable death.

The Department of Health is committed to reducing the number of people who develop blood clots by encouraging staff to follow national policy which states that all adult patients in England receive a VTE risk assessment on admission to hospital.

At the event today, best practice regional VTE prevention initiatives will be showcased and Strategic Health Authorities will be encouraged to develop their own initiatives.

A new online educational resource (e-learning) to inform clinicians and help them to assess a patient’s risk of VTE and take appropriate preventative measures will also be launched.

Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson said:

“The dangers of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients have long been recognised. By working with NHS organisations, clinicians and managers and with the medical Royal Colleges we can ensure that all NHS staff and students recognise the dangers of VTE in hospitalised patients.

“By following standardised national preventive strategy that assesses the risk of VTE and by taking the right preventative measures, there is the potential to save thousands of lives each year.”

John Smith MP, Chair All Party Parliamentary Thrombosis Group said,

“People often forget the scale of the problem we face. VTE is causes 10% of all hospital deaths annually and for those who survive a blood clot, the long term impact on health can be devastating. We hope all hospitals take notice of today’s message - VTE risk assessment for hospital patients is not optional – it is a vital life saving measure.”

Health Minister, Ann Keen said,

“Patient safety is a priority for this Government. The national VTE risk assessment guidance that the Department of Health launched in September 2008 is a world first in a national preventative strategy of this scale.

“Today’s summit will help NHS staff to recognise VTE in the hospital setting as a major cause of avoidable death and ensure that all patients receive a risk assessment upon admission to hospital.”

1. For further information, please call the Department of Health press office on 0207 210 5221

2. The e-VTE course is accessible at www.e-vte.org

3. Venous thromboembolism includes the conditions deep vein thrombosis – when a clot forms in a vein, usually in the leg – and pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot that has formed in a vein breaks off and lodges in the lung. Deep vein thrombosis is more common in those who are ill and those who are immobile; patients in hospital are more vulnerable because they meet both these criteria. Deep vein thrombosis may lead to pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.

4. In October 2008, Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, launched national preventive strategy for venous thromboembolism and risk assessment guidance was provided to all hospitals to help them identify patients at risk of developing venous thromboembolism. The Risk Assessment for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is available on the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk/VTE

5. The core elements of a National VTE Risk Assessment have been developed by the Chief Medical Officer’s VTE Implementation Working Group (IWG) in close consultation with key partners and stakeholders.

6. NICE VTE clinical guideline for all hospitalised patients is expected in early 2010.