This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Steven D. Pearson, MD, MSc; Joseph L. Polak, MD; Scyrus Cartwright, MD, MPH; Sheila McCabe-Hassan, RN; Thomas H. Lee, MD, SM; Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD

Arch Intern Med. 1995;155(16):1773-1778.

Abstract
Uncertaintyg the optimal evaluation of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) results in wide variations in practice, even within the same institution. To address variation in practice while maximizing the efficiency and quality of care, our institution developed a critical pathway guideline for the emergency department evaluation of patients suspected of having DVT. We present the critical pathway and the clinical rationale underlying its recommendations. The critical pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary team using chart review of practice at our institution, benchmarking at other institutions, and review and discussion of the medical literature. Consensus was achieved for the selection of ultrasound as the primary imaging test for all patients and for recommending initial doses of heparin sodium that are higher than the current norm at our institution to reduce the length of time required to achieve therapeutic anticoagulation. A total time for patient evaluation of 5 hours or less was established as the target. Controversy arose in two key areas: (1) the treatment of patients with normal ultrasound scans when high clinical suspicion for DVT exists and (2) the evaluation and treatment of suspected isolated calf-vein DVT. In its final form, the critical pathway recommendations seek to balance the benefits of standardization with the prerogatives of physicians to make decisions tailored to individual patients.

(Arch Intern Med. 1995;155:1773-1778)

Author Affiliations
From the Section for Clinical Epidemiology, the Cardiovascular Division, Departments of Medicine (Drs Pearson, Lee, and Goldhaber), Radiology (Dr Polak), Emergency Medicine (Dr Cartwright), and Nursing (Ms McCabe-Hassan), and the Clinical Initiatives Development Program (Drs Pearson and Lee), Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Community Health Plan (Dr Pearson), Boston, Mass.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Deep Venous Thrombosis: Complete Lower Extremity Venous US Evaluation in Patients without Known Risk Factors—Outcome Study
Cornuz et al.
Radiology 1999;211:637-641.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Length of Hospital Stay and Discharge Delays in Stroke Patients
van Straten et al.
Stroke 1997;28:137-140.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Variability in Length of Hospitalization for Stroke: The Role of Managed Care in an Elderly Population
Monane et al.
Arch Neurol 1996;53:875-880.
ABSTRACT