Screening and Prophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolism

Patients who have recently had orthopedic and other types of general surgery, those who have recently had a stroke, and those with an ongoing medical condition (such as heart disease) are at most risk for developing venous thromboembolic disease. Do most long-term care facilities screen for this condition among these patient populations, and when should physicians initiate prophylactic care? Dr. Laurie Jacobs, professor of clinical medicine and vice chairman of clinical and educational programs in the department of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, and director of the Resnick Gerontology Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, discusses ways to reduce the risk of developing venous thromboembolism among long-term care patients. What is on the horizon in terms of new therapies? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.