Apenteng, Patricia N., Fitzmaurice, David, Litchfield, Ian, Harrison, Sian, Heneghan, Carl, Ward, Alison and Greenfield, Sheila (2016) Patients' perceptions and experiences of the prevention of hospital-acquired thrombosis : a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 6 (12). e013839. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013839 ISSN 2044-6055.

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Abstract

Objective To examine patients' understanding of hospital-associated thrombosis, and their experiences of thromboprophylaxis.
Design Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 31 patients requiring venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis following a recent hospital admission. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using framework analysis.

Setting

4 hospitals in Birmingham and Oxford.

Results

All the participants received thromboprophylaxis following surgical procedures. Participants were aware of a risk of blood clots; however, they lacked a good understanding of VTE and its components. Experiences of VTE prophylaxis were characterised with good adherence to heparin injections and poor adherence to elastic compression stockings, largely due to perceived lack of clarity in guidance from health professionals. Participants had limited knowledge of the signs and symptoms of VTE and would value improved education on VTE.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that patient education is often inadequate and impacts negatively on patients' involvement in VTE prevention. An enhanced patient education programme incorporating a consistent message on the appropriate use of elastic compression stockings and description of VTE symptoms is likely to optimise the effectiveness of the prevention of hospital-associated thrombosis. Physicians may use the results of this study to improve individual patient education.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Clinical Trials Unit Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Thromboembolism -- Prevention., Thrombophlebitis -- Prevention., Health education -- Research., Pulmonary embolism -- Prevention., Physician and patient., Communication in medicine.
Journal or Publication Title:	BMJ Open
Publisher:	BMJ
ISSN:	2044-6055
Official Date:	1 December 2016
Dates:	Date Event 1 December 2016 Published 13 December 2016 Available 11 November 2016 Accepted 24 October 2016 Submitted
Volume:	6
Number:	12
Article Number:	e013839
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013839
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	27 November 2017
Date of first compliant Open Access:	27 November 2017
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:	Project/Grant ID RIOXX Funder Name Funder ID RP-PG-0608-10073 National Institute for Health Research http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272

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