Preventing DVT in Orthopedic Patients
Preventing DVT in Orthopedic Patients
Introduction
DVT refers to a condition that originates from the development of a clot in deep blood vessels (The National Library of Medicine, 2012). The condition commonly occurs in the low thigh and leg regions. DVT can occur as a complication during orthopedic surgery. According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (2012), DVT incident in major orthopedic surgery are as high as 60%. This condition is associated with emotional consequences to the patient including distorted social interaction, prolonged isolation, and pain (Turkoski, 2000). The condition may become life threatening when the clot forms in the delicate parts of the body (Turkoski, 2000). Thus addressing DVT is a primary focus in the effort of providing quality care to orthopedic patients. This paper presents a program that is design to prevent DVT among Orthopedic Patients. The intention of this program is to boost drug and physical rehabilitation of orthopedic patients.
DVT Prevention Program
There are two major ways of preventing DVT among orthopedic patients; mechanical therapy and drug therapy (Arcelus & Jurdrna, 2006). Drug therapy entails the administration of anticoagulant drugs. Anticoagulant drugs are administered before surgery, and the therapy continues after the surgery. This program seeks to address the DVT problem by enhancing the drug therapy for orthopedic patients. Practitioners must administer the right kind of drugs at the right time in order to reduce chances of DVT. It is estimated that a successful rug therapy session reduces the chances for DVC by 80% (Goldhaber & Fanikos, 2012). This program seeks to educate nurses on how to administer drug therapy accurately during orthopedic operation.
Mechanical therapy entails promoting early movement among the patient (Toker & Hak, 2011). This is the focus of the prevision program. Patients need to promote a great deal of motion in order to prevent incidents of DVT. Physical exercises are required to promote early movement among DVT patients. The time the patient is admitted in hospital is not enough to ensure that patient undergo complete physical recovery (Arcelus & Jurdrna, 2006). Therefore, it is essential to ensure that patients are educated to take of themselves. The information will enable the patient to regain mobility while at the same time, avoid subsequent injuries.
Creating awareness is one of the strategies for preventing DVT among orthopedic patients (Turkoski, 2000). Lack of adequate knowledge of DVT among orthopedic patients is a primary contributor to the occurrence of DVT. An orthopedic surgery not only causes disturbances to the circulatory system, but also results in reduced mobility for the patient. Reduced mobility is a significant risk factor for DVT (Turkoski, 2000). Thus, patients need to become aware of the risk involved in order to address the DVT problem. Awareness will motivate the patients to adopt lifestyles that will promote their recovery.
The practitioner will assess the patient’s condition in order to identify exercises that will help the patient to recover (Goldhaber & Fanikos, 2012). The practitioner will observe and identify the patients’ weak point and recommend the best approach for assisting the client. The practitioner will work together with the patient until the patient gains enough strength. The patient will then be provided with education on how to continue with the exercises within their home environments. The program also requires the patient to visit the surgeon at regular intervals in order to evaluate progress.
Timelines and Resources
A wide range of resources will be required in order to implement this program. One of the critical requirements is skilled human resources (Arcelus & Jurdrna, 2006). Orthopedic units will need to have professional who are cable of providing physical therapy to patients. This implies that the organization has to hire new personnel or training existing personnel to take up this role. Members of the Orthopedic also need to be trained on how to provide orthopedic patients with self rehabilitation education. The hospital also needs to be equipped with drugs for facilitating drug therapy. This requires investment of financial resources. The hospital also needs financial resources for purchasing equipments for facilitating the therapy process.
| Activity | Timeline |
| Hiring Physical Therapy staff | January 1, 2013- January 31, 2013 |
| Purchase of Drugs | January 1, 2013- January 31, 2013 |
| Purchase of Equipments | January 1, 2013 – January 31, 2013 |
| Training | February 1, 2013- April 30, 2013 |
Communication Plan
$1i. Communication Objective
Communication is an essential process in any program. This communication plan seeks to inform the stakeholders within the orthopedic department about the DVT prevision program. The precise objective is to raise awareness concerning DVT and plans the hospital wish to implement in order to reduce cases of DVT. This communication is also aimed at generating support for the program.
$1ii. Target Audience
This communication is directed to all members of the orthopedic departments. This includes doctors, nurses, and other practitioners. The program manager needs to develop communication messages that are designed for this group.
$1iii. Key Messages
One of the main issues that will be communicated concerns the implications of the DVC condition to the orthopedic department. Studies indicate that up to 60% of orthopedic patients develop DVC condition (The American Academy of Physician Assistants, 2012). Some members of the orthopedic department are oblivious of this situation. The plan also needs to communicate the strategies that the organization wishes to implement in order to reduce cases of DVC. This includes; plans to introduce enhanced drugs, enhances physical therapy and training of staff. The plan will also communicate the benefits of implementing the program. Making the benefits known to the stakeholders enhances support for the program.
$1iv. Communication Approach
Internal memorandum will be one of the approaches used to communicate the organization plans to the stakeholders. Internal memorandum will help the organization save time. The written nature of the communication also ensures that a consistent message is communicated to all stakeholders. Meetings will also be used to communicate the organization’s plans. Meeting will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to air their views.
Budget
| Activity | Timeline |
| Hiring Physical Therapy staff | $ 10,000 |
| Purchase of Drugs | $ 20,000 |
| Purchase of Equipments | $20,000 |
| Training | $15,000 |
| Totals | $65,000 |
References
Arcelus J. & Jurdrna J. (2006). Venous Thromoembolism in Post Orthopedic Surgery. Orthopedics Journal. 29 (6)
Goldhaber S. & Fanikos J. (2012). Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. December 17, 2012. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/16/e445.full
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (2012). Deep Vein Thrombosis. December http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00219
The National Library of Medicine (2012). Deep Venous Thrombosis. December 17, 2012. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000156.htm
Toker S. & Hak D. (2011). Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis in Trauma Patients. Journal Thrombosis.
Turkoski B. (2000). Preventing DVT in Orthopedic Patients. Journal of Orthopedic Nursing. 19 (3): 93- 9
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
