DVT prophylaxis orders

[Nellie Nurse]

So the hospital I work at recently instituted these DVT prophylaxis orders where each pt upon admission has a form placed on their chart for the doctor to review and sign. The form has boxes to check for increased risk of DVT such as hx of DVT, recent trauma, ortho surgery, etc. Now I'm all for preventing DVT but they have made it the nurse's responsibility that if the pt is not on an anticoagulant and the doc has not signed the form then we are supposed to call then to find out if the pt is to be on an anticoag.

I feel like we are constantly picking up after the doc. This is their responsibility. Same with the med rec form. I feel like a baby sitter. I don't have time for this. And they wonder why we don't leave until 1 1/2 to 2 hrs after our shift is over.

Do any of you guys have these forms? Is it the RN's responsibility to track down the doc on this issue?

[jmgrn65, RN]

we started something similar, we call it a dvt risk assessment. if the pt has a score of 3 or greater and the doc didn't place them on any dvt prophylaxis then we need to contact him. Almost everyone that comes in the hospital is at risk at least according to our risk form. This is probably JCHAO

[all4schwa]

It's part of our admission, along with flu/pneumonia vaccinations. Our unit specifically, keeps SCD machines on every bed and the sleeves on the unit. That way, we dont have to order them up from central, cause every patient gets them.

[Newandconfused]

It is also a part of our admission. There is even a box asking how we will contact the doctor about it if it is not included in thier orders. (telephone, progress note, etc) I don't know how long our hospital has had this policy, but I guess long enough where the doctors usually know to include this in thier initial orders

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

Good Grief, another form ! I'm sure the next time I work, it'll be the newest thing...... it never ends