In order to implement and disseminate the recommendations of this CPG, the GDG has taken the following steps.
Preliminary sharing of CPG recommendations at Combined Sections Meeting 2015.
Open access to the CPG and all reference materials.
Creation of a Pocket Guide for physical therapist about VTE.
Creation of patient brochures and information flyers about the role of physical therapists in preventing VTE and managing patients with LE DVT.
Production of podcasts about the CPG aimed at physical therapists.
Presentations on the CPG by the GDG at local, state, regional, and national seminars.
Creation of checklist and sample evaluation forms incorporating the recommendations of the CPG.
All these tools can be found at www.TOBEDEVELOPEDWEBSITE.org and are available for free.
In order to implement these recommendations, physical therapists and the entire healthcare team should take the following steps.
Integrate key action statements within this paper into clinical practice. Making resources easily accessible in the clinic, such as lists of signs and symptoms of LE DVT, copies of the Wells’ Criteria for LE DVT tool, and the algorithms in this CPG, are several examples.
Formation of inter-professional teams that address VTE and ensure all providers know about and then implement the recommendations in this CPG. This may be through embedding risk assessment into standardized examination forms or working with referral sources to encourage early mobilization post diagnoses of VTE. As demonstrated in the areas of early mobilization in the intensive care unit and diabetes and chronic pain management, inter-professional teams are effective when attempting to change the culture of an organization to improve patient outcomes.133-135
Physical therapists need to seek out membership in these inter-professional committees and serve as clinical champions in the areas of VTE prevention and management. As movement specialists, physical therapists understand the importance of mobilization and activity and have the ability to modify interventions based on medical history and patient problems. Physical therapists can add greatly to the scope and depth of these teams.
