To celebrate World Thrombosis Day this year, we’re highlighting the amazing work of our Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT), which was formed in 2023 and won a Thrombosis UK VTE Award earlier this year for ‘Quality Improvement Programme Advancing Practice in Thrombosis Prevention and Management’.
Audit data from 2022 indicated that up to 10% of patients at NBT with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) passed away due to the condition.
Following the example of other leading organisations internationally, a PERT was introduced at NBT to aid in selecting patients who would most likely benefit from a new intervention introduced and performed by the interventional radiology team called mechanical thrombectomy. Based on catheter-based techniques used to treat other conditions including some types of stroke, the minimally invasive procedure involves a tiny incision in the groin to insert a catheter that is guided using an x-ray to the pulmonary arteries and the clot, which is then removed using suction. Without intervention, the increased pressure placed on the artery and heart by a clot can lead to dangerously insufficient blood flow, and even be fatal.
As well as rapidly identifying patients who would be suitable for this procedure, the PERT also provide high-quality standard of care tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Reaching across multiple specialties, the team has grown since its creation from a team of just three members to over 20 clinicians and Allied Health Professionals. Each member of the team has contributed to the work in addition to their existing role because of their dedication to improving our approach to acute PE and providing the best possible outcomes for patients. This means our patients can access the most effective treatments at the recommendation of an expert team. On average, the team is activated two or three times a month to review acute severe PE cases and make recommendations on their care. When necessary, this includes escalating care to interventional radiology for mechanical thrombectomy.
The team meet regularly to review cases and share learning to ensure they are continuously improving their methodology and are increasingly relied on by on-call teams for their expertise. They have also received patients from the surrounding areas, allowing the benefits of their expertise to be shared more widely. They hope to continue to develop the team, increase awareness and provide regional clinical governance and education around the best treatment pathways for PE patients.
Thrombosis UK is a charity dedicated to increasing awareness and research around conditions including pulmonary embolism, and their VTE Awards highlight practices for preventing and managing these conditions that are effective, sustainable, and have patient outcomes at their centre. This year, the awards were held at the Houses of Parliament and hosted by Sarah Green MP. Although the team were unable to attend on the day, the award was accepted on their behalf by Sue Bacon, and the team were visited at NBT in September by Thrombosis UK trustee and former chair Ian Franklin to formally present them with the award.
A huge congratulations to the team on this fantastic achievement and their work so far. We look forward to them continuing to grow and helping us to deliver great care and outstanding patient experience.