World Thrombosis Day (WTD) is October 13, 2015 – Please see www.worldthrombosisday.org to learn more about this global movement, and World Thrombosis Day for the entire press release and list of references.
According to a www.worldthrombosisday.org press release, this year over 300 medical societies, government health agencies, and advocacy groups across 70 countries united to call on their health care systems to require hospital-based risk assessments for venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE refers collectively to blood clots in the leg (DVT) and the lungs (PE). At the heart of the WTD call to action are these telling statistics – VTE is a leading cause of preventable death in hospitals worldwide; and when enforced, risk assessments have been associated with reductions of VTE-related deaths among hospital patients.
In addition to the call to action for required hospital-based VTE risk assessment, WTD will focus on public education, and urge people going into the hospital to proactively ask for a VTE risk assessment. Family members can also be proactive by asking for a VTE risk assessment for loved ones who are unable to advocate for themselves.
Led by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) coalition’s goal is to raise awareness of blood clot formation (thrombosis) and a condition that kills approximately 1 in 4 people around the world. WTD reported that an estimated 10 million cases of VTE occur worldwide each year, and that more than 600,000 people die from VTE in the United States and Europe each year.
According to Gary Raskob, Ph.D., dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and chairman of the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee “A patient going into the hospital is at an increased risk for developing VTE, whether admitted for surgery or medical illness. People need to know that hospitalization is a leading risk factor for VTE, and hospitals owe it to their patients to be vigilant about performing VTE risk assessments on every patient. The results of that assessment should be used to decide about the use of evidence-based preventive measures against VTE.”
VTE = DVT + PE
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers collectively to:
1.) Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that occurs in a deep vein (usually in the leg); and
2.) Pulmonary embolism (PE), a blood clot that breaks loose and travels to the lungs. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care.
WTD wants the public to recognize signs and symptoms that might indicate DVT or PE:
“DVT or blood clot in the leg: Indicators include pain/tenderness or swelling often starting in the calf; redness, noticeable changes in color and/or warmth in the leg.
PE or blood clot in the lung: Indicators include unexplained shortness of breath or rapid breathing; chest pain (sometimes worse upon a deep breath); rapid heart rate; and/or light headedness or passing out.
While these indicators do not necessarily mean the presence of VTE, a medical professional should assess them immediately.
Go to www.WorldThrombosisDay.org to learn more about VTE, the signs and symptoms, key risk factors and how to prevent it. To watch an animated video on VTE, visit https://youtu.be/GfPfqMF03w8.”
