VTE Prevention Process Improvement Project

After reducing health care-acquired deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE) in 2011, the hospital observed an increase in these events in 2013. As a result, a new team was created on July 31, 2013 to improve the processes of ordering and implementing venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis. The VTE collaborative team included physicians, registered nurses, nurse educators, informaticists, care managers, pharmacists and quality personnel. The team's goals were: assure appropriate evidence-based VTE prophylaxis for 100 percent of hospital patients and reduce hospital-acquired (admission through 30 days post discharge) DVT and PE by 20 percent, from 70 to less than 56 cases, in fiscal year 2014.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations 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—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/