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The New Frontline of DVT Assessment
Every year, secondary care facilities across the UK are inundated with patients referred from primary care with suspected cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), more than 70% of whom are later found to be negative for the condition and sent home with no need of further treatment. In an effort to reduce the number of these referrals and improve the diagnostic accuracy of DVT in primary care, a number of NHS GP facilities have begun to use a new, rapid D-dimer assay that can eliminate more than a third of these suspect cases directly from a GP’s office. By revising the accepted diagnostic algorithm for DVT assessment, NHS facilities stand to significantly reduce their spending on this condition and minimise the amount of time lost by radiologists and staff diagnosing it. The benefits to patients are also considerable and include reducing stress over uncertain diagnosis, minimising carer time and eliminating unnecessary journeys to secondary care.
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