Reducing Hospital-Acquired VTE

Purpose:
Nursing decided to plan a study to see if an intensive education program could decrease the incidence of hospital-acquired VTE.

Significance:
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most preventable of hospital-associated deaths. The number of VTEs and hospital-acquired VTEs at a community hospital in Northwest Indiana experienced a sharp increase during the last quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012.

Strategy and Implementation:
Nurses attended educational in-services at unit meetings to review current best evidence. The investigators placed posters on nursing units in visible locations. Annual nurse competencies contained information on VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis. Quarterly education via a computerized program is ongoing.

Evaluation:
A significant improvement in the numbers of patients placed in the correct VTE risk level occurred after the educational interventions. Additionally, the rate of hospital-acquired VTE decreased from 0.32 per 1000 patient days to zero. This represented a cost savings of approximately $160,000.

Implications for Practice:
A review of literature found that nurses can make a difference in reducing the incidence of VTE if well-educated and empowered to change. The findings of this study also supported that conclusion.