It's All About the Patient: Prevention of Hospital-acquired Venous Thromboembolism

The aim of this project was to reduce the number of Venous Thromboembolisms acquired during hospitalization or within 30 days after discharge by increasing the number of patients who receive appropriate prophylaxis. Strategies for change included shifting responsibility from the nurse to the physician for performing the risk assessment and ordering the appropriate VTE prophylaxis. Interventions were also redirected from mechanical to pharmacologic prophylaxis through education and order set design. Hospital-acquired VTE have decreased 37 percent and provision of recommended prophylaxis has increased from 33 percent to an average of 82 percent. Work continues to increase prophylaxis to 100 percent and further decrease the number of hospital-acquired VTE.

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)