What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep Vein Thrombosis, otherwise referred to as DVT or a Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), is a blood clot in a vein which usually occurs in the leg. DVT is a very serious condition and can have serious consequences if it is not dealt with within 24 hours.
The symptoms of DVT can often include swelling, increased skin temperature and pain to areas of the leg affected.
How can DVT be contracted?
A person can contract DVT as a result of various things, which can include (but is not limited to):
- Surgery – specifically hip or knee replacements
- Leg or hip fractures
- Injuries to the spinal column
- Where a person has previously suffered from DVT or blood clots
- Drug abuse (intravenous)
- Prolonged periods of not standing (e.g. due to long periods of travel or having to stay in bed for multiple days)
- Pregnancy
- Varicose veins
NHS DVT risk assessments
The NHS advise that if you go into hospital suspecting that you are suffering with DVT then you should be checked for the risks of suffering from the condition when you are first admitted. However, the most recent NHS statistics suggest that not every patient is assessed accordingly for DVT.
The NHS reported that in UK hospitals:
- The operational standard is that 95% of inpatients (aged 16 or over at the time of admission) undergo risk assessments each month*;
- 96% of patients (16 or over at the time of admission) were assessed for VTE;
- Six regions (North East and Yorkshire, North West, East of England, London and South East) achieved 95% of patients being checked;
- The South West region only achieved 94.7% of inpatients being checked;
- 80% of healthcare providers (240 of the 299) carried out VTE assessments for 95% or more; and
- Of the 59 providers who did not achieve the operational standard of 95%, 76% of them risk assessed between 90% and 95% of total admissions.
*Figures based on 3.8 million admitted inpatients aged 16 or over whose data was reported for the study.
From the statistics, this shows that not every patient is assessed for DVT which is very alarming. This could have very adverse consequences, such as blood clots in your veins breaking loose, travelling through your bloodstream and getting stuck in your lungs. This can lead to suffering from a Pulmonary Embolism which could be life threatening.
DVT negligence claims
If you or a loved one has or is currently suffering from DVT as a result of negligent medical treatment, you may be able to make a negligence claim for compensation.
Negligent medical care can include when a risk assessment has not been undertaken prior to the development of DVT, or where an assessment was undertaken but the necessary preventive measure were not subsequently carried out and this led to you, or your loved one, developing DVT.
How Nelsons can help with DVT negligence claims
At Nelsons, our expert Medical Negligence team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham are specialists and well experienced in DVT negligence claims. If you are concerned there you were not adequately assessed for DVT, or any other negligence regarding your medical care, we are here to help you.
Please contact us on 0800 024 1976 or complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you as soon as possible.
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