Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
06:45
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Venous thromboembolism in the outpatient setting
Frederick A Spencer1, Darleen Lessard, Cathy Emery
1Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA. fspence@mcmaster.ca
Archives of Internal Medicine
|July 25, 2007
Summary
Most venous thromboembolism (VTE) events occur after hospital discharge, not during hospitalization. Improving in-hospital VTE prophylaxis and exploring extended prophylaxis post-discharge are crucial for reducing outpatient VTE incidence.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Public health
- Clinical epidemiology
Background:
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is often focused on hospitalized patients.
- However, a significant portion of VTE events occur in the outpatient setting.
- This study investigates outpatient VTE occurrence, risk factors, and prophylaxis patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of VTE in the outpatient setting.
- To characterize prevalent VTE risk factors among outpatients.
- To assess the utilization of VTE prophylaxis in patients who later develop outpatient VTE.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for residents of the Worcester metropolitan area.
- Inclusion criteria: International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes consistent with possible VTE.
- Data collected for 1999, 2001, and 2003, validated by trained abstractors.
Main Results:
- A total of 1897 VTE cases were confirmed.
- 73.7% of VTEs occurred in the outpatient setting.
- Of those with recent hospitalization, 67.0% developed VTE within 1 month post-discharge; less than half received prophylaxis during hospitalization.
Conclusions:
- VTE diagnoses are more common in the 3 months following hospitalization than during the hospital stay itself.
- Enhanced in-hospital VTE prophylaxis may reduce outpatient VTE rates.
- Extended VTE prophylaxis after hospital discharge warrants further investigation due to shortened hospital stays.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
01:30Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
01:27Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor tissue, fat, or air embolus blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. Effective nursing management and patient education are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing recurrence.Nursing management starts with obtaining a comprehensive patient history, particularly noting any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Assess for clinical manifestations, including dyspnea, chest pain, crackles, heart murmurs, and signs of right-sided...
01:30Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous thrombosis, the most common disorder of the veins, involves the formation of a thrombus or blood clot associated with vein inflammation. It can be classified as either superficial vein thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis.Superficial Vein Thrombosis: This involves the formation of a thrombus in a superficial vein, usually the greater or lesser saphenous vein. Though less severe than deep vein thrombosis (DVT), SVT can lead to complications if untreated.Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This...
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...