VTE - Resultant venous insufficiency and risk of slow to heal lower leg ulceration

Venous Thrombo Embolism (VTE) data indicates that approximately 30,000 people suffered from this debilitating condition in Australia in 2018 (1). The figures also indicate 5,000 people died as a result of having a VTE in 2018 (1). The national road toll in 2019 was 1,195 (2). So why are we not doing better?

There are VTE Prevention Clinical Standards available on prevention and management of VTE. In speaking to a number of clinicians it seems that these guidelines are not well used or referenced. Data informs us that 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 may have a venous leg ulcer. From this data we know that these ulcers are slow to heal and can be very distressing due to leakage and soiling of bedlinen and clothing. The other important point is that 70% of people who had healed a venous leg ulcer will have a recurrence within 3 months of healing. 

Join us as Jan opens the discussion around utilising the VTE guidelines and ensuring that the recommendations of post care are passed on to the patient or health care professional so that the number of people with venous leg ulcers reduce.