HCA Makes Strides in Boosting DVT Awareness
March is DVT Awareness Month

Before the death of NBC news correspondent David Bloom in Iraq in 2003, approximately 75% of Americans knew very little about deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). That included Bloom’s wife Melanie, who is now a national spokesperson for the Coalition to Prevent DVT. In the nearly three years since Bloom’s death, HCA and others have worked tirelessly to help both healthcare professionals and the public understand the dangers and risk factors of this potentially deadly but preventable condition. In January, HCA was recognized by the Coalition to Prevent DVT for outstanding achievement in promoting awareness and prevention of DVT. The award was presented at the Coalition’s third annual meeting in Washington, D.C. HCA was commended not only for its contributions in boosting public awareness but also for developing tools for the prevention and treatment of DVT. HCA’s recent initiatives have included webcasts with physician leadership from HCA facilities, as well as nurses and pharmacists, to discuss DVT awareness and the scope of the problem. Several webcast presenters, including Melanie Bloom, shared personal stories about their experiences with DVT. HCA also introduced a DVT Toolkit that gives facilities resources for developing their own formal DVT prevention/management strategies.

Melanie Bloom, national spokesperson for the Coalition to Prevent DVT

Facts about DVT
What is it?
DVT is a common but dangerous condition in which a blood clot forms in a large vein, usually in the leg, partially or completely blocking circulation. If the clot breaks free and travels through the bloodstream, it can reach the lungs and block a blood vessel. This blockage is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) and can be fatal within hours, as was the case with David Bloom.

DVT statistics
• Over 900,000 Americans suffer from venous thromboembolism (VTE) 
   each year.
• 400,000 of these being DVT and 500,000 of these leading to a PE.
• Of the PE cases, 300,000 are fatal. 
• More people suffer from DVT annually than heart attack and stroke.
• Fatal PE may be the most common preventable cause of hospital
  death in the U.S.

Learn more
HCA became a member of the Coalition to Prevent DVT in 2005 and was the first healthcare company to join. Today more than 35 organizations have joined the Coalition in a united effort to raise awareness of this serious medical condition. Visit www.preventdvt.org to learn more.