Success in Treating Blood Clots
The graphic below represents the number of patients who received perfect care* after they were prescribed medications and interventions to keep them from developing dangerous blood clots while in the hospital.
All data current as of 2nd quarter 2014
There are 6 key factors in what's widely considered to be perfect stroke care:
Blood clot prevention in patients
Patients in the hospital are more at risk for developing blood clots due to their conditions. Blood clots can form in the legs and break off causing serious complications. Blood clots can be prevented by prescribing medications that help prevent blood clot formation. This indicator measures how often interventions and medications to prevent blood clot formation are prescribed to at risk patients.
Preventing blood clots in ICU patients
ICU patients are at high risk for developing blood clots. Blood clots can be prevented by prescribing medications that help prevent blood clot formation. This indicator measures how often interventions and medications to prevent blood clot formation are prescribed to at risk patients in the ICU.
Blood clot prevention through overlap therapy in hospitalized patients
When a patient is prescribed medication for a blood clot, it is important to combine medications until the new medication is working at its expected level. This keeps the patient safe from developing a blood clot until the new medication starts working. This indicator measures how often doctors prescribe overlap therapy when treating blood clots.
Treating a blood clot with Heparin
When a patient has a blood clot it can be treated with a medication called Heparin. Heparin is given through an IV in your arm. Administering this medication requires blood levels to be monitored very closely. This is done more safely by using protocols. This indicator measures how often the hospital utilizes protocols for patients receiving IV Heparin for blood clots.
Patients and their families given education about blood thinner medication at discharge
Sometimes patients are discharged on medications that thin their blood to help prevent blood clots. When patients go home on blood thinning medications it is important to educate them on possible side effects, how to take their medication, and warning signs that their blood is too thin. This helps patients take their medication safely and watch for possible complications. This indicator measures how often patients discharged on blood thinners were educated and given written instructions for their use at home.
Patients who develop a blood clot while in the hospital
Patients who are in the hospital are at risk for developing blood clots because of certain conditions and treatments. Hospitals prescribe medications to help prevent blood clots from forming. This indicator measures the number of patients who did not get treatment to prevent a blood clot and developed a blood clot while in the hospital.
*The Perfect Care Score shows the percentage of patients cared for at Kaweah Delta Health Care District who had all Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Medicare quality measures done perfectly.