Page: Hemo-Force DVT Pumps

Know the risk factors for VTE (Venous Thromboembolism).

Almost all hospitalized patients have at least one risk factor for VTE.¹ VTE (venous thromboembolism) is a disease that encompasses both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. It is a serious, often under diagnosed but preventable complication during and after an acute medical illness or surgery.

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a major vein, usually in the leg. Part of the clot may break off and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). PE accounts for five to 10 percent of deaths in hospitalized patients.

VTE is the most common preventable cause of in-hospital deaths.2 DVT and PE are also deemed nonreimbursable by CMS.3

Major risk factors

Hospital patients have a higher risk for DVT because of their limited mobility, active disease processes and comorbidities.
Risk factors include:4

  • Immobility
  • Hypercoagulability
  • Vessel wall damage
  • Age
  • Surgery (especially orthopedic surgery and total knee replacement)
  • Heredity (including the Factor V Leiden genetic mutation)
  • Increased estrogen levels (due to oral contraceptives or
    hormone replacement therapy)
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Pregnancy
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s Disease

How to enhance patient outcomes

Pneumatic compression pumps and garments lower the risk of DVT by replicating the body’s normal musculovenous pump activity.5,6 During treatment, the inflation-deflation cycle of the pump forces blood out of the legs toward the heart.5,6 Numerous studies demonstrate that pneumatic compression not only helps reduce morbidity and mortality, but also provides a low-cost and more conservative solution compared with surgical intervention and drug therapy.6

Choose the DVT therapy that’s right for your patients and facility.

  • Intermittent pneumatic compression: Use Hemo-Force and Hemo-Force II DVT pumps and single bladder sleeves to produce alternating compression of foot, calf or thigh with uniform compression
  • Sequential pneumatic compression: Use Hemo-Force SQ and Hemo-Force II SQ DVT pumps and 3-bladder sleeves to create a wave of compression for foot, calf or thigh with gradient compression
  • Static non-dynamic compression: Use our EMS compression stockings to provide constant, graduated compression from foot to knee or foot to thigh

References:

1. ACCN Practice Alert: Venous thromboembolism prevention. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Available at: http://www.aacn.org/wd/practice/docs/practicealerts/vte-preventionpractice-alert.pdf?menu=aboutus Accessed February 1, 2016.
2. Cohen AT, Tapson VF, Bergman JF, et al. Venous thromboembolism risk and prophylaxis in the acute hospital care setting (ENDORSE study): a multinational cross-sectional study. The Lancet. 2008;371(9610):387-394. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5610557_Venous_thromboembolism_risk_and_prophylaxis_in_the_acute_ hospital_care_setting_ENDORSE_study_A_multinational_cross-sectional_study Accessed February 2, 2016.
3. Lembitz A, Clarke TJ. Clarifying “never events” and introducing “always events.” Patient Safety in Surgery. 2009;3:26. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2814808/ Accessed February 3, 2016.
4. What is thrombosis? North American Thrombosis Forum. Available at: http://natfonline.org/patients/what-is-thrombosis/risk-factors/ Accessed February 3, 2016.
5. Morris RJ, Woodcock JP. Evidence-based compression: Prevention of stasis and deep vein thrombosis. Annals of Surgery. 2004;239(2):162-171. Available at:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1356208/pdf/20040200s00006p162.pdf Accessed February 3, 2016.
6. Becker M. Optimization of intermittent pneumatic compression for lower extremities, computational results. Thesis presented to: Graduate Faculty of the University of Akron; August 2012; Akron, Ohio. Available at: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file?accession=akron1344453788&disposition=inline Accessed February 3, 2016.