Authors (including presenting author) :
LI WK(1), LAM KW(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
Introduction :
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication among surgical patients, and neurosurgical patients had the highest incidence of postoperative DVT among other surgery groups because of long operating times, paralysis, prolonged bed rest and posttraumatic status. Meanwhile, controversy concerning the use of heparin as it may raise the rate of postoperative intracranial hemorrhage and potentially development of fatal complication, pulmonary embolism indicated the significance of mechanical DVT prophylaxis.
Objectives :
An evidence-based protocol was then developed to facilitate frontline nurses to assess the patients' need and apply mechanical DVT prophylaxis for neurosurgical patients. This project aimed to investigate the effect of DVT reduction, as well as the effect of promotion in nurse compliance after the implementation of a DVT prophylaxis protocol.
Methodology :
This was a prospective study conducted in Queen Mary Hospital from January 2021 to September 2021. DVT incidence rate was compared between baseline and after implementation of the protocol. Nurse compliance was compared at different periods including baseline, after implementation and 9 months after implementation.
Result & Outcome :
The reported DVT incident rate dropped from 0.28% to 0.08% (P=0.199). The nurse compliance regarding the use of new protocol & application of DVT prophylaxis noted 19% increase after implementation (P=0.002) & 17% increase after 9 months (P=0.003).
