Deep vein thrombosis medical negligence compensation claims
Against a background of high profile medical negligence compensation claims being made for such things as birth injuries, surgical errors and hospital superbugs, it seems that the media are prone to neglecting another big killer: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
Yet the statistics on DVT make for shocking reading. A 2007 report by the All-Party Parliamentary Thrombosis group reveals the horrifying extent to which medical negligence is causing DVT deaths.
It is estimated that more than 10,000 patients have died from DVT as a direct result of hospitals neglecting to follow correct practice. Many will be surprised to learn that this is three times the number of deaths caused by the hospital superbugs C difficile and MRSA combined. While it is not clear just how many bereaved families are making medical negligence compensation claims following the loss of a loved-one to DVT, there can be little doubt that many would be entitled to do so.
Beverly Hunt, director of thrombosis charity Lifeblood, comments on the human and financial cost of avoidable cases of DVT, "The total costs of managing DVT within the NHS are estimated to be £640 million and it's deeply concerning that the simple step of risk-assessing patients is not being taken."
When treating patients affected with DVT, failure to follow the relevant guidelines can lead to as many as a third of sufferers being killed. Correctly following guidelines, however, greatly reduces the mortality rate to as few as two deaths in every 100 sufferers.
John Smith, chair of the all-party paliamentary group, adds, "It is worrying that some NHS trusts are still failing to adhere to these guidelines, which could reduce deaths by over 40% how long will it take for NHS trusts to start acting on this guidance and start saving lives?"
Who is at risk from DVT?
Startlingly, as many as 50% of all hospital patients are at some risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Those in the highest risk category are generally people who have recently undergone surgery, pregnant women, those with poor circulation, those affected by illness as well as people over 40.
Worryingly, only around 50% of at-risk patients will be made aware of the danger, while only one third of those will be correctly assessed.
Not surprisingly, this has led to calls from the all-party committee to make VTE (venous thromboembolism, also known as blood clot) risk assessment compulsory for all new hospital patients.
Medical negligence compensation solicitors
If you have suffered ill-health or personal injury as a result of substandard or negligent care at the hands of Britain's hospital services, you are entitled to make a medical negligence compensation claim.
YouClaim's panel contains some of the UK's most experienced and respected clinical negligence litigation solicitors. All of who are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
When you claim with us, you can be guaranteed that our service is completely free of any legal costs. Furthermore, we guarantee that you will always receive 100% of any compensation awarded to you.
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