The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched a program to honor hospitals, health systems, and managed care organizations that have implemented effective strategies to prevent health care–associated blood clots.
The HA-VTE Prevention Challenge invites provider organizations around the world to submit evidence of demonstrated successful use of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention strategies and interventions. VTE leads to approximately 100,000 premature deaths in the United States every year, according to the CDC, yet as many as 70% of HA-VTEs are preventable, although fewer than half of hospital patients receive appropriate prevention. Indeed, about half of all blood clots happen after a recent hospital stay or surgery.
“Doctors and nurses in hospitals and other health care settings can save lives by implementing the best practices discovered through this challenge,” Dr. Tom Frieden, CDC director, said in a statement. “Tell us about what you are doing and what’s helping prevent blood clots, so we can advance science and save lives together.”
The purpose of the challenge is to highlight the systems, processes, and staffing that contribute to exceptional VTE prevention, according to the CDC. Processes may include the implementation of protocols, risk assessments, and the use of health information technology and clinical decision support tools. Seven of the highest scoring U.S. non-federal hospitals, multihospital systems, hospital networks, and managed care organizations will be recognized as HA-VTE Prevention Champions and will receive a cash award of $10,000 each. Winning submissions from U.S. federal and international entities will be eligible for nonmonetary recognition.
The CDC will accept submissions from Nov. 2, 2015, until Jan. 10, 2016. Winners will be announced in March 2016.
For more information, visit the HA-VTE Prevention Challenge website.
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