A report published in March revealed that an easily preventable condition is proving a bigger killer than breast cancer, Aids and traffic accidents combined. The House of Commons Health Committee reported that more than 25,000 people are killed in England each year from pulmonary embolism following deep vein thromboses (DVT). This is where a blood clot in the leg breaks away and causes damage to the lung which can result in death.
DVT is a preventable condition yet the report showed hospital hospital staff were not aware of the widespread nature of the problem. There are no national guidelines in place but the government's National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is to provide such guidelines by 2007.
It would, however, be simple to introduce preventative measures before that date. Blood clots can occur when a patient is immobile for any reason, for example, following surgery. To introduce a risk assessment on patients on admission to hospital would identify those high risk patients: they could be treated with blood-thinning drugs, exercises and compression stockings. Anyone at risk, whether undergoing surgery or travelling long distances by air should seek specific medical advice. For more information, contact Jeanette Whyman on 01926 883019.
