Mechanical compression in the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in a substantial number of the Australian community. There exists a considerable range of potential prophylactic measures aimed at reducing the risk of VTE. These antithrombotic regimens include pharmacological interventions and mechanical techniques to counteract venous stasis including graduated compression stockings and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices. This review particularly concentrates on evidence for the use of mechanical prophylaxis and the interrelationship with pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis. Mechanical and pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis are both effective and when used in combination have synergistic effects. Although there are a number of different IPC systems, little evidence is available at present that differentiates these on the basis of VTE prevention. Compliance and patient acceptance of IPC as a preventative measure has improved with miniaturization and device weight reduction. IPC should be used according to recommended guidelines. In moderate-risk patients when pharmacological prophylaxis is contraindicated, IPC can be used as an alternative. High-risk patients should receive both mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis to reduce their relative risk. Until further evidence becomes available, the specific type of IPC unit chosen will generally be determined by ease of use, availability and cost.

Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis: are guidelines being followed?

INTRODUCTION: The purposes of the present study were to determine whether patients in The Canberra Hospital are receiving appropriate Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, and to ascertain the awareness of appropriate treatment by clinicians. METHODS: Part 1 of the present study comprised of a point prevalence study of The Canberra Hospital inpatients. Patients were assessed for the risk of their developing DVT. The prophylaxis they were receiving was documented. In Part 2 of the present study, clinicians at The Canberra Hospital filled out a questionnaire that outlined three case scenarios. They were required to identify the risk group and appropriate prophylaxis for each group. Consultants, registrars and junior medical officers were assessed separately. RESULTS: The results of Part 1 of the present study showed that the majority of inpatients in The Canberra Hospital are not receiving appropriate prophylaxes according to international guidelines. Graduated compression stockings are rarely used, and often ineffectively applied. All groups performed poorly in Part 2 of the present study. Participants were frequently unable to identify the risk group for a particular scenario. There was also confusion regarding the appropriate prophylaxis for a particular risk group. DISCUSSION: Deep Venous Thrombosis is a major problem among hospitalized patients. However, despite its importance, there is a lack of appropriate prophylaxes being instituted. This, together with the poor performance of the participating clinicians in Part 2 of the present study,indicate that there are significant problems in The Canberra Hospital regarding DVT prophylaxes and that steps need to be taken to overcome these problems.

Venous thromboembolism and cancer.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in the hospitalized patient. This is particularly evident in patients with cancer who are exposed to a four- to sixfold increased risk of VTE compared with those patients without cancer. METHODS: A review of the current literature was undertaken on prophylaxis and management of VTE in patients with cancer. RESULTS: Primary VTE prophylaxis is recognized to be the single most effective strategy that improves patient safety. Many clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of primary prophylaxis for patients with cancer and evidence-based, best practice guidelines for specific subgroups of patients with cancer are well accepted by most clinicians. Despite this, many patients at high risk for VTE either receive no VTE prophylaxis or are exposed to VTE complications due to sub-optimal prophylaxis. Implementation of best practice guidelines still falls far short of clinical acceptable levels for VTE prophylaxis and management. CONCLUSION: VTE prevention in patients with cancer results in reduced morbidity and mortality, outcomes that are unquestionably attainable. This review of the current evidence supporting VTE prophylaxis in patients with cancer will hopefully act as a stimulus to provide patients with cancer access to the best, evidence-based, thromboprophylactic management available.

Surgical services: shaping future directions.

BACKGROUND: Advances in surgical techniques and anaesthetic practise have facilitated a significant change in the way surgery is currently delivered. In particular, short stay surgery including ambulatory surgery has become the norm for the majority of surgical conditions. However, the planning of surgical services has not always kept pace with nor capitalised on these clinical advances. Like many major urban centres in Australia, the Greater Sydney region is changing, in terms of population growth and configuration of clinical and operational networks. In conjunction with NSW Department of Health, the ministerially appointed Surgical Services Taskforce was tasked with determining the shape and direction of surgery in Greater Sydney over the next 5 to 10 years. METHODS: Over 400 clinicians either attended hospitals forums or were contacted by the Surgery Futures project team. RESULTS: From the consultations, three models of service delivery were strongly advocated. These were the development of high volume short stay surgery centres, the establishment of specialty centres and the expansion of the streaming of planned and emergency surgery. CONCLUSION: These three major recommendations will require a significant reorganisation of surgical services in NSW. However, they are also relevant to surgical services planning elsewhere in Australia. It is imperative that these recommendations are incorporated into long term surgical planning in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of surgical service delivery.

Making sense of emergency surgery in New South Wales: a position statement.

BACKGROUND: Emergency surgery is a major component of the provision of surgical services and makes up a substantial volume of the workload of surgeons in many hospitals. It is often more complex and surgically challenging than elective surgery. However, little attention has been concentrated on the management or resource requirements of emergency surgery. METHOD: This article identifies principles for models of emergency surgery care and describes how they can be incorporated into a redesign of emergency surgery. They have been developed and are endorsed by experienced surgical staff routinely coping with the challenges of emergency surgery. RESULTS: The benefits of redesigning emergency surgery will be realized by an active partnership between managers, surgeons and surgical teams. The anticipated clinical benefits include improved patient outcomes, enhanced patient and surgical team satisfaction, and increased trainee supervision in emergency surgery. Significant management benefits will ensue from high rates of emergency operating theatre utilization, reduced patient cancellations and reduction in after-hours costs. This unplanned but predictable workload will be managed in a planned and predictable fashion. CONCLUSION: Reform of emergency surgery services is a necessity and not a choice. The development of the emergency surgery guidelines for New South Wales is a step in the right direction. The principles identified in the guidelines should be adapted and implemented across Australia if sustainable, safe and efficient emergency surgery services are to be provided. Patients will expect nothing less.

Applying clinical process redesign methods to planned arrivals in New South Wales hospitals.

*Competing demands of planned and unplanned arrivals present major challenges for hospitals. *Applying clinical process redesign methods to the planned patient journey allows management to recognise the blocks and inefficiencies in the journey and facilitates the development of solutions for improvement. *Redesign of the planned patient journey in New South Wales has promoted the expansion of the extended day-only model of care, reformed the waiting times policy, standardised patient preadmission assessment and preparation, and targeted operating theatre use. *Improved performance management at Area Health Service and local facility levels has accompanied the redesign of planned arrival processes. *The results in redesign of surgery undertaken by the Area Health Services in 96 NSW hospitals have been impressive, with results within 2 years of commencing the clinical services redesign program showing: a 97% reduction in the numbers of patients in Category 1 (admission desirable within 30 days) whose surgery was overdue, from 5308 in January 2005 to 135 in June 2007; and a 99% reduction in the number of patients who have waited > 365 days for surgery, from 10 551 in January 2005 to 84 in June 2007. *Improved surgical service efficiency, safety and quality justify the continuation of the redesign program.