Assessment of the Effect on Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism （VTE） in Wards of Elderly Patients by Two-Way Communication Management of Both Patients and Medical Professionals

Objective To assess the effect on prevention of venous thromboembolism （VTE） in wards of elderly patients by two-way communication management of both patients and medical professionals. Methods One hundred patients with low-risk of VTE development in our comprehensive division of elderly patient wards and fifty-one medical care-givers were selected as study subjects from January 2019 through December 2019. Concurrent education and communication methods in terms of comprehensive VTE prevention course training, implementation, monitoring and follow-up to both patients and medical professionals were adopted. Indicators of VTE awareness degree and basic knowledge, attitude to VTE prevention and task implementation before and after introduction of two-way management system were compared. VTE incidence rates in elderly and non-elderly wards were also compared. Results Indicators in basic knowledge, attitude to VTE prevention and task implementation were significantly improved in medical profressionals and patients （P<0.05）. After introduction of this two-way management system for VTE prevention, eleven of one hundred patients in elderly wards developed VTE （11.0%）, significantly lower than 38.1% （40/105） of VTE incidence in wards without implementing this two-way management system （P<0.001）. Satisfaction to hospital in patients were also greatly improved as 62.0% （60/100） most satisfied, 24.0% （24/100） much satisfied, 10.0% （10/100） satisfied and no non-satisfied patients. Conclusions Venous thromboembolism could be reduced significantly by two-way communication management of both patients and medical professionals in elderly population. This systemic management could raise the awareness of VTE prevention in both patients and care-givers, and promote patient satisfaction to hospital staff, suggesting be worth further validation and expanded implementation.