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RWJ Hamilton Observes March As Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
Joins National Campaign to Raise Awareness on Silent, Preventable Killer
3/7/2007
HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) today announced its support of Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month as officially recognized by United States Senate Resolution 56. The hospital joins a national effort to raise awareness of this serious, yet preventable condition and its potentially fatal complication, pulmonary embolism (PE). PE occurs when clots break loose and block blood vessels in lungs.
"DVT occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in a large vein, usually in the legs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation," says Vijay Vaswani, MD, board certified general surgeon at RWJ Hamilton. "If left untreated, this clot can move into the lungs and block circulation, leading to pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention."
According to the American Heart Association, DVT affects up to two million Americans annually. Up to 600,000 Americans are hospitalized each year for DVT and its primary complication, PE. Of those Americans who develop PE, up to 200,000 will die each year—more than from breast cancer and AIDS combined. Fatal PE may be the most common preventable cause of hospital death in the United States.
Certain individuals may be at increased risk for developing DVT; however, it can occur in almost anyone. Additional risk factors may include restricted mobility, an incidence of cancer, heart or respiratory diseases, major surgery (such as hip or knee replacements), advanced age, use of oral contraceptives or hormone therapy.
"With our focus on providing exceptional patient care, we are proud to support this national campaign in the greater Mercer County area to increase awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of DVT and PE," said Ellen Guarnieri, RWJ Hamilton President and CEO. "DVT Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity to learn about this preventable and often silent killer."
More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service.
For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.
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