The early management of DVT in the North West of England: A nation-wide problem?

Background: Despite NICE guidelines, the early management of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in UK hospitals varies widely. We investigated the variation in clinical pathways used in NHS hospitals in North West England.

Methods: A detailed questionnaire was sent to seventeen University or District General hospitals with an Accident and Emergency department. Copies of protocols or patient pathways were requested.

Results: 15 hospitals responded despite our repeated requests for information. Of those, four hospitals did not provide any DVT protocol, guideline or service for DVT. In seven (63.6%) hospitals, possible DVT patients were assessed in A&E, and four (36.4%) in Acute Medical Admission Units. During the day, initial assessment was by a Specialist Nurse (SN)/Advance Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in 4 (36.4%) hospitals, by a doctor in 5 out of 11 hospitals (45.5%) and a combination of ANP and doctors in 2 out of 11 (18.2%) hospitals. Out of hours assessment was conducted by a doctor in all 11 hospitals (100%). Two (18.2%) hospitals used the 2003 Wells score, three (27.3%) used the 1997 Wells score and six (54.5%) hospitals used 'in house' modified Wells score. The score required to trigger further investigation varied between different hospitals. Only four (36.4%) hospitals could arrange US imaging within four hours of presentation.

Conclusion: This lack of co-ordinated services for the management of DVT in the North West England is likely to reflect national practice. A national programme is urgently needed to ensure patients with suspected DVT are managed using standardised and consistent protocols.