CME Program

Deep Vein Thrombosis

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Course Description

While one in twenty Americans will experience deep vein thrombosis (DVT), as many as 80 percent of these patients will have no clinical signs of the disease. Despite various practice guidelines that assist physicians to 1) identify patients at risk for developing DVT, 2) identify the appropriate mechanical or pharmaceutical interventions to prevent it and 3) diagnose DVT in a primary care setting, medical liability claims data show numerous medical errors associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of this disease. Using closed malpractice claims examples, this course will provide resources for diagnosing DVT, identifying patients at risk for developing DVT, and identifying the various prophylactic measures that can be utilized to reduce the risk of a patient developing DVT. It will also provide patient safety and risk management strategies for physicians who are treating patients at risk for DVT and for patients who are receiving DVT prophylaxis.

Target Audience

This course is intended for all healthcare providers who treat patients at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis.

Educational Objectives

By reviewing case studies and implementing the risk management recommendations herein, participants will be able to:

• Increase competence for identifying the risk factors, signs and symptoms of DVT.
• Document the evaluation process and reasoning behind DVT treatment choices at each stage of patient treatment.
• Adopt and adhere to protocols and guidelines regarding DVT evaluation and prophylaxis.
• Appreciate the potential for medication errors and implement risk management best practices to mitigate the risk for those errors.
• Achieve informed consent, greater patient comprehension and compliance through the use of plain language materials and communications.

Disclosure Policy

As an ACCME accredited provider, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company requires planners, reviewers or authors who influence or control content of a CME activity to disclose financial relationships (of any amount) they have with commercial interests associated with the CME activity during the past 12 months. Any identified conflicts of interest are resolved prior to the commencement of the activity.

Disclosures

Individuals involved in the planning, reviewing or execution of this activity have indicated they have no relevant financial relationship to disclose.

Content Advisors/Planners

Stephen M. Farber
Vice President, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Dustin Shaver
Manager, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Marlene Nazerey, RN, MSN
Manager, Risk Management

Sonia Rutherford
Risk Management/CME Program Services Coordinator

Mary-Lynn Ryan
Consulting Risk Management Specialist

Jo Townson
Risk Management Specialist/Continuing Medical Education

Expert Reviewers

Patricia A. Dailey, MD
Anesthesiology
NORCAL Board of Directors

Thomas Kula, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery
Los Gatos, CA

Scott Morehouse, MD
Internal Medicine
Walnut Creek, CA

Accreditation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Original release date: May 2009
Expiration date: May 30, 2012