World Thrombosis Day: Our eyes are open to thrombosis
In recognition of World Thrombosis Day on October 13th, Arjo embraces efforts to raise awareness of thrombosis with our “eyes open to thrombosis” on this day and every day. World Thrombosis Day is the birth date of Rudolf Virchow, a German physician and pioneer, who studied the etiology and pathophysiology of thrombosis, and advanced our understanding of thrombotic conditions to this day.
As our eyes look in the rear view mirror, the coronavirus pandemic magnified the unusually high thrombotic incidence over the past 1.5 years due to abnormal coagulopathy noted in many COVID patients with severe disease. Even as the pandemic becomes more managed over time, the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still present in many hospitalized medical and surgical patients, and in others who may not be hospitalized.
VTE prevention is an important patient safety priority in healthcare. VTE continues to be a leading cause of preventable hospital death, however, research suggests that the majority may be preventable through evidence-based prevention strategies. Approximately 70% of healthcare-associated VTE events are preventable through prevention measures.1 It is important to take a proactive approach due to the nondiscriminatory and sometimes “silent” nature of this condition to help save lives.
Arjo is committed to empowering healthcare providers with clinically-effective solutions that prevent immobility acquired conditions by providing pneumatic compression therapy for those patients at risk for VTE. The advantages of mechanical thromboprophylaxis (ie., intermittent pneumatic compression) are well-documented and include:2
- Safe and noninvasive
- Demonstrated clinical efficacy
- Does not increase the risk of bleeding
- May be used in patients with high bleeding risk
- May enhance the effectiveness of anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis
Let’s all keep our eyes open to thrombosis and prioritize prevention efforts to reduce harm, improve outcomes and provide quality care for our patients. We can empower movement in thrombosis prevention together…lives may and do depend on it!
To learn more about our VTE prevention solutions, download our Clinical Evidence Summary - Preventing Venous Thromboembolism with Intermittent Pneumatic Compression.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics on HA-VTE. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/ha-vte-data.html. (Accessed online September 28, 2021).
- Geerts WH, et al. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. 2008 Jun;133(6 Suppl):381S-453S.