A Critical Reflection of the Joanna Briggs Institute Guideline for Venous Thromboembolism Prevention - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Moreover, not enough details were provided to establish the effectiveness of their recommendations. The presentation of recommendations, risk stratification, and treatment alternatives were generally clear and organized. Though nursing knowledge is increased by the information contained in the guideline, the inadequacy of the information renders the implementation of this particular guideline difficult. The need for an effective guideline is increasingly becoming a necessity as new pieces of evidence as discovered in various healthcare research. It is of the essence that organizations, such as the Joanna Briggs Institute, provide regularly updated guidelines that are comprehensive and clearly presented.
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious health threat, with a multitude of new cases appearing in Europe and the United States every year. The rising incidence and the typical asymptomatic nature of VTE, with a serious impact on health, present an essential requirement for suitable prevention methods for this condition. Excessive coagulability, venous stasis, and vein wall injury are the primary risk factors associated with the development of VTE, which comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (Arcelus & Caprini, 2009). As a result, most methods used to prevent this condition employ the use of mechanical devices, pharmacotherapy, or both. Mechanical devices, such as graduated compression stockings attempts to decrease vein dilatation and promote venous flow. Compression stockings reduce venous stasis by the application of graded levels of compression to the calf and ankle (Nasim & London, 2009). Pharmacotherapy is based on the use of anticoagulants, such as low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) to inhibit coagulation (Ellonen, 2005). Since 1986, numerous randomized controlled trials and approximately 25 evidence-based guidelines on the advantages and safety of preventive measures for VTE have been published (Welch, 2010). ...Download file to see next pagesRead More