SHM and Dr. Stein have implemented an information technology approach at five of Emory’s hospitals. Each facility assesses patients who don’t have VTE prophylaxis every hour. The data is distributed to nursing stations, where nurses and other providers can apply VTE interventions within minutes. The program has driven Emory’s VTE prophylaxis rates to more than 90%, and Dr. Stein is working to make the program exportable to other hospitals, with the help of funding and assistance from SHM.
“As the leader of the VTE prevention program at Emory hospitals, I hear lots of stories about preventable VTE—not just about patients, but from friends of friends and family members,” he says. “It’s extraordinary.” TH
Brendon Shank is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia.