Questions to ask include: Were SCDs ordered? Are the SCDs on?
Ultimately, to be successful in this area, you need to understand your
frontline nurses' workflow and effectively integrate VTE prevention
into it. Give them autonomy and enable them to provide this safe care
for the patient. At the end of the day, VTE prevention is about owner-
ship and accountability.
Striving for perfection
We continue to improve and sustain our VTE rate at or below the
benchmark level. Keeping it top-of-mind is achieved through consistent
engagement and communication, providing feedback related to missed
opportunities, drilling down on a VTE or near miss event, and celebrat-
ing wins. Our VTE committee continues to be vigilant and proactive in
order to maintain and improve the safety of our patients.
OSM
1 1 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9
Ms. LeCuyer (melissa.lecuyer@nm.org) is the perioperative services clinical
director at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Ill.
