Prevention of thromboembolic complications in the rehabilitation center: Diagnostic and risk factor stratification tools

Patients who present "at risk" to physical medicine and rehabilitation centers for venous thromboembolic disease are often challenging if a management strategy is not preestablished. There are many recommendations in the medical literature, with guidelines on prophylaxis techniques and methods that can be used in the physical medicine and rehabilitation patient population. It is important that management strategies be used that further promote the quality of medical care while providing an economic justification. In our institution, we regularly follow a process for stratifying the risk of developing deep venous thrombosis complications in the acute care setting and then continuing appropriate prophylaxis management into the rehabilitation facility. The purpose of this report is to present one method of stratifying patient risk for thromboembolic complications and maintaining appropriate thromboembolic prophylaxis during the risk period. In addition, this report aims to provide practical management recommendations for the PM&R provider.