WHSCT aims to 'stop the clot'

National Thrombosis Week brings a spotlight on issues around the diagnosis, care and prevention of VTE.

A blood clot within a vein is known as a venous thrombosis and the most common type is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg. An embolism is when part of the clot 'breaks off.'

An embolism can travel from the clot in the leg through the circulation to the lungs where it causes a life threatening pulmonary embolism (PE).

The key message this week from the Western Trust is for all healthcare workers and the general public to be aware of what puts individuals at risk of developing a thrombosis (clot) and how to recognise the signs. A DVT may have the following symptoms: pain, tenderness and swelling of the leg, usually in the calf (lower leg); discolouration of the leg – pale blue or reddish purple

Daryl Connelly, Medicines Governance Pharmacist, Western Trust who has organised this week's awareness events together with colleagues from the clinical teams, said: "This week is all about raising the profile of this silent killer.

"Our slogans are about - 'Stopping the Clot' and 'Spotting the clot' Clot prevention and treatment is not a new science but we have formalised how we assess the risk for someone getting a clot by adding the VTE risk assessment to the hospital medicine chart. Whilst stopping the clot is important we also want staff and more importantly patients to be aware of the potential signs of a clot.

"Education posters will be displayed and a patient information leaflet is now available on the Trust website."

Dr Feargal McNicholl, Consultant Haematologist, Western Trust said: "Venous thrombosis kills more people in the UK than breast cancer, AIDS and traffic accidents combined, but rarely gets yet brought to the public's attention.

"Many of the deaths caused by venous thrombosis are preventable. National Thrombosis week gives us an opportunity to address this."

He continued: "When patients are diagnosed with a serious condition such as a venous thrombosis it can be a scary and sometimes confusing time.

"They are then given a lot of verbal information about thrombosis, potential complications and treatment.

"Many patients find this information helpful but can find it hard to take it all in.

"We are currently developing a information leaflet for these patients which we hope will improve their understanding of what has happened to them, possible complications and treatment options.

"Hopefully we can empower people by giving them critical information which allows them not only to decrease their risk of getting a venous thrombosis in the first place but also to enable them to identify the symptoms and signs of this serious condition at the earliest possible point.

"We hope that getting people to take an active role in the management of their condition will secure a better outcome for them in the long term," said Dr. McNicholl.

Dr Anne Kilgallen, Medical Director, Western Trust added: "The Trust through this week's awareness campaign is playing its part as a healthcare leader in the prevention and treatment of this condition – in other words 'stopping the clot.'

"DVT and VTE are serious but preventable conditions. The Western Trust is already driving up preventative treatment standards. However, more work needs to be done to raise awareness of these conditions."

"If you would like to find out more go to 'Lifeblood - The Thrombosis Charity' website on: http://www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk.