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VTE PREVENTION: AN INCREASED FOCUS

Are your patients at risk for VTE?

VTE Prevention: An Increased Focus

VTE exerts a far-reaching impact on individual patients, healthcare professionals, and the healthcare system at large. Recent public attention has directed an increased focus on preventing VTE8:

  • On September 15, 2008, the US Surgeon General issued a Call to Action emphasizing the importance of reducing morbidity and mortality caused by DVT/PE.8 Visit the US Surgeon General Web site to learn more.

The Cost of a Clot

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer reimburse VTE associated with total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) surgeries under the "Never Event" policies9:

  • The estimated cost to the hospital for a postoperative VTE is approximately $22,000 (2002 dollars)10

prophylaxis difficult

FACT:

VTE prevention involves treatment considerations that can make prophylaxis difficult for both you and your patients.