A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein. If not treated, a part of the clot (embolus) can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening complication called pulmonary embolism (PE).

Salem Hospital has been awarded $40,000 through the PacificSource Community Health Excellence Initiative program to fund a project aimed at decreasing mortality and complications for patients who are at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) which is a disease that includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein. If not treated, a part of the clot (embolus) can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening complication called pulmonary embolism (PE).

Nationally, VTE is the most preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients.

Grant funding will provide salary support for a VTE coordinator who will focus on performance improvement activities aimed at improving patient outcomes, promote community education and awareness through the hospital's Community Health Education Center and assess resources within the community to identify gaps in resources for patients who are at risk for VTE.

PacificSource is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan that values partnership, service excellence, community, and personal relationships.

The Community Health Excellence Initiative program, which was launched in early 2009, allows PacificSource to support initiatives that are independently evaluated as having a significant impact for improving patient care.