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Awareness of venous thromboembolism in mental health services for older people
Author(s) -
Zyl M.,
Wieczorek G.,
Reilly J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1365-2850
pISSN - 1351-0126
DOI - 10.1111/jpm.12082
Subject(s) - medicine , deep vein , venous thromboembolism , presentation (obstetrics) , pulmonary embolism , mental health , thrombosis , family medicine , psychiatry , surgery
Accessible summary Venous thromboembolism ( VTE ) is an important safety issue in the inpatient mental health care of older people. In a survey of specialist mental health staff, knowledge of deep vein thrombosis was good. More variable awareness of the presentation and risk factors for pulmonary embolism indicates the need for training integrated into regular physical health care updates.Abstract Currently, failure to adequately screen and prevent venous thromboembolism ( VTE ) is estimated to cause between 25 000 and 32 000 potentially avoidable deaths annually in the U nited K ingdom. The authors aimed to assess the awareness of VTE in clinical staff working in M ental H ealth S ervices for O lder P eople, T ees, E sk and W ear V alleys N ational H ealth S ervice F oundation T rust. A questionnaire was devised to assess knowledge of VTE symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatment in clinical staff working in M ental H ealth S ervice for O lder P eoples' inpatient units. Forty‐nine nurses, 12 consultant psychiatrists, and 11 clinical pharmacists responded. A significant proportion of staff had previous involvement in VTE treatment. Staff had significantly more limited knowledge of pulmonary embolism compared to deep vein thrombosis with areas for improvement in presentation, risk factors, and prevention. The study confirms a need for improved awareness among all clinical staff including nurses, pharmacists, and doctors, which can be met by including VTE awareness in F irst R esponse training, and encouraging use of the D epartment of H ealth VTE e‐learning tool.