title: Economic and outcomes aspects of venous thromboembolic disease.
abstract: Critically ill patients clearly face an increased risk for developing venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). Upon admission, all critical care patients should be immediately assessed for and prescribed VTE prophylaxis as it can significantly reduce VTE occurrence, its potential sequelae,and costs associated with VTE treatment. The financial burden associated with VTE is substantial. Longer ICU and hospital lengths of stay, pharmacy costs, and further outpatient management all contribute considerably to the economic burden of disease. The importance of this healthcare issue should motivate hospital administrators and physicians to systematically initiate thromboprophylaxis in all ICU patients.
authors: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street NW, No. 2B-39, Washington, DC 20010, USA. chee262@hotmail.com
authors: Chee M
authors: CM
authors: Chan
authors: Andrew F
authors: AF
authors: Shorr
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control