Patients are now almost twice as likely to be screened in hospital for venous thromboembolism (VTE) than in 2010, helping save thousands of lives, Health Minister Simon Burns has revealed.
In July 2010, the Government introduced a measure to ensure the NHS assesses 90% of admitted patients for the risk of VTE and treats those who need it. Visiting one of the best performing hospitals in the country for VTE screening, Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Simon Burns announced that more than 14.3 million patients have been screened since July 2010; 91% of patients in England are now being screened for VTE; and around 230,000 patients are currently being screened every week. Simon Burns commented: “Deep vein blood clots are a serious risk to patients and can claim nearly 25,000 lives a year. It is due to our focus on patient safety that I am pleased to announce a world first of over 90% of patients admitted to hospital now being screened for venous thromboembolism (VTE), leading to better treatment before it can deteriorate. “The NHS must ensure that patients at risk of VTE receive appropriate preventative measures to help save lives. We expect hospitals around the country to continue to work hard and follow the example of high performing Trusts.”
