PREVENTATIVE CARE

VTE Prophylaxis

Why is it important?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), aka: blood clots, which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a serious complication that can occur in hospitalized patients. These conditions can be life-threatening, and implementing a standardized VTE prophylaxis protocol significantly reduces the risk. A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs or arms. A PE is a blood clot that forms in the vein of the lungs.

How can you help prevent it?

Remain compliant with the mechanical devices the physician has ordered. These include the foot and leg pumps. The pumps are designed to help your blood circulate when you are in the hospital. By improving your blood circulation, you can decrease the risk of developing a VTE. You may also be prescribed a medication, instead of the air pumps. These medications help keep the blood slightly thinned, making it easier to circulate when you aren't able to perform normal activities. Additionally, when/if the physician orders therapy services, participating with the therapy team can also prevent the development of a VTE.

Key indicators

DVT: Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the leg (usually calf or thigh)
PE: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heart rate, dizziness, or fainting.

Tobacco Cessation

Health and well-being for our patients, visitors, employees and communities is important to us.

NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital is a tobacco/nicotine (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, e-cigarettes, pipes, etc.) free environment.

Use of tobacco/nicotine products is prohibited on NEA Baptist Memorial Health System properties. This includes all buildings, parking lots, vehicles on the property, etc.
Your health care team is committed to providing support, education, and/or cessation products to patients who use tobacco/nicotine products. A member of the health care team will discuss cessation options during your stay.

If you have any questions, please discuss them with a member of your treatment team.

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Infection Prevention

Hand Hygiene
- Your health is important to us. While you are a patient in our hospital, it is our goal to ensure we promote patient safety and prevent infections. One of the ways we do this is by performing hand hygiene. Here are a few key points to keep you safe during your stay.
  - Hand washing is the single most important method used to prevent infections. Hand washing can be done using soap and water or by using the alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is provided throughout the facility.
  - When to wash your hands:
    - Before, during and after preparing food.
    - After using the restroom.
    - After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
    - After touching hospital surfaces
  - Speak Up! It is okay to ask anyone on the health care team if he/she has washed his/her hands.

Respiratory Etiquette
- One way to prevent the spread of illnesses is to practice respiratory etiquette. This includes covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- How to stop the spread
  - Cover mouth and nose with a tissue
  - Throw the tissue in the trash
  - Perform Hand Hygiene immediately after
- If you do not have a tissue, utilize the inside of your elbow to cough/sneeze.

If you have any questions, please discuss them with your provider or another member of your treatment team.

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