What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) happens when blood turns into a clot in a vein in the body. These clots can block off the whole vein or just a piece of the vein in the body. Clots can happen anywhere in the body but most commonly happen in the calf. When staying at the hospital, no matter how long of a stay, a DVT can happen and to anyone. Keeping informed about ways to prevent these clots can decrease your hospital visit. Below is a helpful video on DVT prevention from Brigham Health which is breaks down the information above.
DVT Prevention
A few ways to prevent blood clots includes walking frequently, compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices, and low molecular weight heparin. Some of these ways may be new terms. Compression stockings and intermittent pneumatic compression devices are ways to decrease swelling in the patients legs and improve blood flow in the legs. The video below on DVT pumps: otherwise known as intermittent pneumatic compression devices are seen in the hospital setting and is a great tool to help prevent blood clots. This video is a great tool to learn about these devices.
Low molecular weight heparin may be a new term too. This medication has other names too, such as Lovenox or enoxaparin. The medication comes as an injection (shot) that helps thin the blood. Below is an informational video regarding heparin shots needed to help prevent blood clots. This video is very instructional and easy to understand, however, the video suggests to recap after injecting the medication. This is a big no no and can cause patients to accidentally restick themselves with the needle. Also, using alcohol swabs is correct, the video forgets to mention to wipe the area for fifteen seconds and dry for fifteen seconds before giving the injection. Although this video seems like a great resource for at home injections, it is always best to learn information and techniques from your doctor.
Resources you can trust
Below are some educational resources that are easy to read and helpful places to go to learn about preventing blood clots.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000661.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/heparin-intravenous-route-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20068726
References
Kaur, M., Yadav, K., Yadav, V., Gupta, B., & Misra, M. (2012). Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis: awareness or ignorance amongst staff personnel. International Journal of Nursing Education, 4(1), 32–34.
O’Brien, A., Redley, B., Wood, B., Botti, M., & Hutchinson, A. F. (2018). STOPDVTs: Development and testing of a clinical assessment tool to guide nursing assessment of postoperative patients for Deep Vein Thrombosis. Journal of Clinical Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), 27(9–10), 1803–1811.
Van Wicklin, S. A. (2011). Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis. AORN Journal, 94(5), 443–456.