When people don't move for a long time, such as on a cross-ocean plane trip or after some types of surgeries, they are more likely to develop a dangerous blood clot in deep veins of the body. Those blood clots can break loose and travel through the bloodstream to vital organs such as the lungs, where they can cause serious damage. To help prevent blood clots after surgery, doctors can order treatments such as blood-thinning medications. However, the treatments need to be started at the right time, usually beginning 24 hours before surgery and ending 24 hours after surgery. This shows the percentage of patients who receive treatments at the right time to prevent blood clots.

July 2011 - June 2012 data

For the above graph: Higher ↑ performance is better.

Results over time

For the above graph: Higher ↑ performance is better.

More surgical care measurements 

• Patients using beta-blocker therapy prior to arrival
• Antibiotic received within one hour before surgery
• Antibiotic selection for surgical patients
• Antibiotics discontinued within 24 hours after surgery
• Blood glucose control
• Appropriate hair removal
• Urinary catheter removal on first or second day after surgery
• Timely blood clot treatments ordered
• Blood clot prevention treatment received within 24 hours of surgery
• Patients having surgery who were actively warmed in the operating room

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