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Preventing DVT in the Hospital
Preventing DVT in the HospitalTranscript (page 1 of 2)Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition that can occur when you are not movingaround a lot – for example, when you are in the hospital. The good news is, hospitalshave many prevention strategies that can work together to help you avoid DVT. Talk toyour healthcare provider about what you can do to reduce your risk.Start by increasing your blood circulation. There are several ways to do this, even asyou recover from injury, illness or surgery. You may be able to raise your legs and feetslightly to help your blood flow. Ask a nurse to help you position properly.Your healthcare provider may recommend that you wear special long socks, calledcompression stockings, to increase the circulation in your legs. Unlike the socks orstockings you normally wear, compression stockings use a stronger elastic to createpressure in your legs, ankles and feet. They are usually tighter at the ankles and lesstight towards the knees and thighs, to prevent the blood from collecting deep insideyour vessels.Your healthcare provider may also recommend you wear sequential compressiondevices, or SCDs, that pump air to automatically apply and relieve pressure to yourlegs in order to help your blood get moving. Some people call these leg pumps, andmany patients say that it feels like getting a continuous massage.As soon as possible in your hospital stay, staff will help you increase your physicalactivity. Increased movement gets the blood circulating so it cannot pool and form aclot. You may be surprised at how quickly you can get moving.When you are ready to begin, start with small movements. Lower body exercises, likeleg lifts and ankle rotations, are small movements that can get your blood circulating.Change positions in bed often, at least every 2 hours. This also helps to get the bloodmoving. Do your bed exercises to build your strength to get into a sitting position.20% gradient meshSoon you will be ready to get out of bed. Until you are strong enough, ask hospitalstaff for help getting into and out of bed, and moving from your bed to a chair. Youmay even need help for short trips, like to the restroom.healthclipshealthclipsWhen you are strong enough, go for short walks down the hallway. Use the handrailsfor support.healthclipsAlways wear shoes or socks with treads so your feet can grip the floor giving youhealthclipsadded support. This can help you avoid slips and falls.(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_gn_10132_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshPreventing DVT in the HospitalTranscript (page 2 of 2)Have family members, friends or caregivers walk with you until you feel strong andsteady enough to go on your own. They can help support you and give you someoneto talk to at the same time.Be sure to listen to your body and your healthcare provider. You are healing and stillneed to regain your full strength. Do not start any new activities without talking toyour healthcare provider first. If you tire out while walking or doing any exercise, takea rest. But remember to walk short distances several times a day to reduce your risk ofDVT.If moving causes you pain, talk to your healthcare provider about pain management.You do not want pain to stop you from enjoying the benefits of physical activity whilein the hospital.To further reduce your risk of DVT, your healthcare provider may prescribe bloodthinners, also called anticoagulant medications. These medications prevent yourblood from clotting too much.Anticoagulant medications are normally only needed for a short time while you aregetting your strength back, and are usually given as an injection in your stomach orthrough your IV.There are several different anticoagulant medications, but no matter which one youare prescribed, they are all powerful. Take them only as directed.As you recover from illness, injury or surgery, taking steps to prevent deep veinthrombosis can not only decrease your risk of DVT, but can also help speed yourrecovery and improve your health overall. Follow your healthcare provider’sinstructions to protect your blood vessels, and avoid this serious complication.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_gn_10132_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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