Preventing Unintended Consequences of Quality Measurement for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis
Authors: Dale W. Bratzler, Jerod M. Loeb, Denise Krusenoski
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2012)

Letters21 February 2012Preventing Unintended Consequences of Quality Measurement for Venous Thromboembolism ProphylaxisDale W. Bratzler, DO, MPH, Jerod M. Loeb, PhD, and Denise Krusenoski, MSN, RNDale W. Bratzler, DO, MPHFrom University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, and The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.Search for more papers by this author, Jerod M. Loeb, PhDFrom University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, and The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.Search for more papers by this author, and Denise Krusenoski, MSN, RNFrom University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, and The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-156-4-201202210-00023 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a common complication of hospital care (1, 2). Multiple medical record audits of high-risk medical and surgical patients have consistently shown underuse of VTE prophylaxis (2). Most patients who are sick enough to require hospitalization have risk factors for VTE. Pulmonary embolism is a common and potentially preventable cause of death from hospital care (1, 2).In their editorial, Baker and Qaseem (3) criticize The Joint Commission's performance measure on VTE prophylaxis because it purportedly encourages its use for hospitalized patients unless there is documentation in the medical record that the patient is ...References1. Qaseem A, Chou R, Humphrey LL, Starkey M, Shekelle P; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized patients: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155:625-32. [PMID: 22041951] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Geerts WH, Bergqvist D, Pineo GF, Heit JA, Samama CM, Lassen MR, et al; American College of Chest Physicians. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. 2008;133:381S-453S. [PMID: 18574271] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Baker DW, Qaseem A; American College of Physicians' Performance Measurement Committee. Evidence-based performance measures: preventing unintended consequences of quality measurement [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155:638-40. [PMID: 22041954] LinkGoogle Scholar4. National Quality Forum. National Voluntary Consensus Standards for Prevention and Care of Venous Thromboembolism: Phase II. Accessed at www.qualityforum.org/Projects/s-z/VTE_Phase_II_(2008)/VTE_Phase_II.aspx on 8 November 2011. Google Scholar5. The Joint Commission. Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures. September 2, 2011. Accessed at www.jointcommission.org/specifications_manual_for_national_hospital_inpatient_quality_measures/ on 8 November 2011. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Dale W. Bratzler, DO, MPH; Jerod M. Loeb, PhD; Denise Krusenoski, MSN, RNAffiliations: From University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, and The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.Disclosures: Dr. Bratzler: Consultancy (money to institution): Johnson & Johnson Healthcare, Medline Industries. Dr. Loeb: Employment: The Joint Commission; Grants/grants pending (money to institution): The Joint Commission; Payment for lectures including service on speakers bureaus (money to institution): The Joint Commission. Dr. Krusenoski: Employment: The Joint Commission; Grants/grants pending (money to institution): The Joint Commission; Payment for lectures including service on speakers bureaus (money to institution): The Joint Commission. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoEvidence-Based Performance Measures: Preventing Unintended Consequences of Quality Measurement David W. Baker and Amir Qaseem , for the American College of Physicians' Performance Measurement CommitteeVenous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Hospitalized Patients: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians Amir Qaseem , Roger Chou , Linda L. Humphrey , Melissa Starkey , and Paul Shekelle , for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians* Preventing Unintended Consequences of Quality Measurement for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Azeem Majeed Preventing Unintended Consequences of Quality Measurement for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis David W. Baker and Amir Qaseem Metrics Cited byAre Improvements in Measured Performance Driven by Better Treatment or “Denominator Management”?The primitive state of quality measures in addiction treatment and their application 21 February 2012Volume 156, Issue 4Page: 326-327KeywordsHospitalizationsMedical risk factorsPatient advocacyPerformance measuresProphylaxisPulmonary embolismRisk assessmentsThoraxTreatment guidelinesVenous thromboembolism ePublished: 21 February 2012 Issue Published: 21 February 2012 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2012 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...