Recruitment communications

Attachment 7
Joint Commission Perspectives© 2020 The Joint Commission \ Perspectives\2020 JCP Volume 40\05 May\02

The Joint Commission Will Begin a CDC–
Supported Study on Venous Thromboembolism
The Joint Commission’s Department of Research soon will begin working on a study titled
“Evaluation of Venous Thromboembolism Prevention Practices in US Hospitals.” This US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)–supported study intends to achieve the
following:1.Develop and pilot test a questionnaire that characterizes the venous
thromboembolism (VTE) prevention practices occurring in general medical units and general
surgical units2.Implement the questionnaire in a nationally representative sample of hospitals
after review and approval by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB)3.Analyze
and describe the extent to which US hospitals use standardized risk assessment and related
practices in their VTE prevention activities. Note that this project is not related to an
organization’s accreditation status. VTE—which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and
pulmonary embolism (PE)—is an important and growing public health concern. The framework
for improving VTE prevention includes protocols with VTE and bleeding risk assessments linked
to risk-appropriate treatment options. Although several VTE risk-assessment tools and models
have been published, there is no standardized risk-assessment tool currently used in US
hospitals. An evaluation of the extent to which US hospitals utilize VTE risk assessment is
needed to better understand the landscape of VTE prevention practices to reduce the incidence
and burden of VTE. For hospitals interested in pilot testing the online questionnaire, please
contact Salome Chitavi, PhD, project director, Department of Health Services Research, The
Joint Commission.

JC Online
Joint Commission starts Phase 1 of CDC-supported study evaluating VTE prevention practices

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a growing health problem, and patient risk assessment is
recommended. While several VTE risk-assessment tools and models have been published, there is no
standardized risk-assessment tool currently in use across U.S. hospitals. An evaluation of the extent to
which hospitals use VTE risk assessment is needed to better understand the landscape of VTE prevention
practices to reduce the incidence and burden of VTE.
The Joint Commission’s Department of Research — is seeking nine sites to pilot test an online
questionnaire as part of a project that aims to:
• Develop and pilot test a survey for hospitals that characterizes the VTE prevention practices in
general medical units and general surgical units.
• Implement the questionnaire in a nationally representative sample of hospitals after review and
approval by the federal Office of Management and Budget.
• Analyze and describe the extent to which hospitals use standardized risk assessment and related
practices in their VTE prevention activities.
If your hospital is interested in helping pilot test an online questionnaire, please contact Salome Chitavi,
PhD, project director, Department of Research, at [email protected].
Please note: This project is not related to an organization’s accreditation status.