VTE in care homes (VTEC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A prospective cohort observational study to determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism among care home residents
IRAS ID
123604
Contact name
David Fitzmaurice
Contact email
Research summary
Around 60,000 deaths a year in the UK are due to blood clots in the leg or lungs (venous thromboembolism - VTE) with around 50% of these happening in hospital. Whilst the clinical benefit of preventative treatment for VTE in hospitals is established, in the care home (CH) setting we have little understanding of VTE incidence, or prevention and treatment strategies. CH residents represent a significant public health problem with a similar risk profile to hospital in-patients; however there are few data currently available on the scale of the problem.
This study aims to determine for the first time the incidence of VTE among care home residents in UK. We propose a prospective cohort observational study of consecutive care home residents to determine incidence rates of VTE, VTE related deaths, non-hospital intervention and admissions to hospital.
Study participants will undergo two case note reviews comprising of a baseline assessment and a follow up assessment one year after enrolment. The baseline assessment will include data on levels of VTE risk, demographics, mobility index and VTE prevention strategies. Year one follow up assessment will comprise the index events: hospital admission, non-hospital intervention, diagnosed VTE. Participants who die prior to the year one follow up will have end of study status and have a notes review following their death. For all deaths research staff will abstract available clinical data from death certificates, nursing home records and hospital discharge letters held in GP clinical files in order to ascertain whether the event was possibly VTE related.
The main outcome of interest is the rate of VTE events per 100 person years. Key secondary outcomes include associated non-hospital interventions, hospital admissions and deaths.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0118
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion