Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Conducts Survey on Patient Safety in Orthopedics

CHICAGO, Oct. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) announced the distribution of a survey to better understand and develop practical solutions to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement.

The survey has been sent to orthopedic surgeons and clinicians across the US.

VTE is the formation of blood clots in the vein. When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can block some or all of the blood to the lungs.

"VTE is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. PPAHS has had a long interest in preventing venous thromboembolism, and has brought together panels of health experts to develop the OB VTE Safety Recommendations and the Stroke VTE Safety Recommendations (both of which are free resources on the PPAHS website)," said Michael Wong, JD, Founder and Executive Director of PPAHS.

Hip and knee replacement surgeries are among the most commonly performed procedures in the US. About 1 million of these procedures are performed each year.

For more on prevalence, see the study by Hilal Maradit-Kremers, MD, MSc et al, "Prevalence of Total Hip (THA) and Total Knee (TKA) Arthroplasty in the United States".

The 30-day readmission rate following hip and knee replacement is 4.3% and 3.9% respectively. The readmission rate rises to 7.8% 90-days after surgery.

According to the US Department of Health & Human Services (HSS), venous thromboembolism (VTE) (6.3%) is the third most prevalent factor accounting for readmission 30-days after surgery.

Interested parties can fill out the survey here by 5pmET on Friday, November 4, 2016.

By completing this survey, respondents may elect to be entered into a lottery draw for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift certificate and to receive a copy of the survey report.

The winner of the lottery draw will be chosen randomly from those who complete the survey and the contact information form.

About Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety

Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to promote safer clinical practices and standards for patients through collaboration among healthcare experts, professionals, scientific researchers, and others, in order to improve healthcare delivery. For more information, please go to www.ppahs.org.

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SOURCE Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS)

Related Links

http://www.ppahs.org