Prevention of venous thrombosis

Rationale

Venous thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Physicians should use best evidence to lower the risk of this disease.

Causal Conditions

(list not exhaustive)

1. Stasis (e.g., hospitalization, travel)
2. Endothelial injury (e.g., previous thrombosis)
3. Hypercoagulability (e.g., drugs, cancer, inherited or acquired conditions)

Key Objectives

Given a patient who may be at risk of venous thrombosis, the candidate will recognize the risk, take further measures to assess the likelihood of occurrence and use best evidence to intervene.

Enabling Objectives

Given a patient at possible risk of thrombosis, the candidate will

1. take an appropriate history and perform a physical examination to confirm the need for concern;
2. list and interpret the appropriate investigations indicated for that patient including
   1. hematologic or coagulation tests;
   2. investigations for other underlying conditions;
3. construct an effective initial management plan, including
   1. non-pharmacologic measures (e.g., anti-embolic stockings);
   2. anti-coagulation;
4. promote systemic measures for consistent prevention of thrombosis in a clinical setting.