Statistics On Health Care Associated VTE

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a medical condition that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans every year, and there are multiple causes for these specific types of blood clots. One is concerning because it could impact almost anyone. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that health care associated VTE occurs when a patient suffers from a blood clot as a result of hospitalization, a medical procedure, or other treatment from health care providers. Of the 900,000 people affected by Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) every year, more than half were linked to medical care.

A person could develop a blood clot for various reasons, but a health care associated VTE is especially troubling because it is preventable. When the event and harm to the patient are the result of negligence, Florida medical malpractice laws provide legal remedies. A Tampa PE/DVT malpractice attorney can explain details about your rights, but you should review additional data on VTE in medical care.

 Additional Statistics on Health Care Associated VTE: DVT occurs when a blood clot travels through a deep vein in the arm or leg, while PE is a blood clot that travels through the vessels to a lung. Both are forms of VTE, which leads to restricted blood flow, damage to body tissues and organs, and possibly death. In addition:

• Up to 70 percent of all health care associated DVT/PE are preventable.
• It is estimated that less than half of all hospital patients receive proper preventative care for VTE.
• For the majority of people who develop a blood clot from hospitalization, the effects afflict them after being discharged.
• Approximately 100,000 people die prematurely every year because of DVT or PE.
• Medical treatment for DVT and PE can reach $15,000 to $20,000 in costs, usually because a patient must be readmitted to the hospital for care. 

Potential Parties for Health Care Associated VTE: There are multiple providers who would be responsible for preventing DVT/PE in the health care setting, including physicians, nurses, and other staff. These individuals must assess risk factors, prescribe appropriate medications, and give proper instructions for at-home recovery. They may be potential parties for a medical malpractice case, though you are typically dealing with an insurance company to resolve your claim.

Many PE/DVT malpractice cases are resolved via settlement agreement, but it will be necessary to go to court if the insurer will not pay a fair amount. Damages are available to cover many different losses, such as:

• Medical costs to treat VTE, including surgery, re-admission to the hospital, prescriptions, and related care;
• Lost wages if you missed work;
• Pain and suffering; and,
• Emotional distress.

Talk to a Florida PE/DVT Malpractice Lawyer About Pursuing At-Fault Parties 

If you have concerns about a VTE event in the health care setting, please contact Greco & Wozniak P.A. to schedule a no-cost case review. You can reach our offices in Tampa, FL by calling 813.223.7849 or visiting our website. We can provide personalized advice after assessing the details of your case.

Source:

cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/infographic-impact.html