Advocating For Your Health

Being an advocate for your own health means taking control of your healthcare experience.

Successful advocates build a relationship with their care team, protect and promote their rights as a patient and have their voices heard on issues that are important to them.

As a patient, it is your right to request and require a VTE Risk Assessment to help reduce your chances of developing a deadly blood clot. With 60 percent of VTE cases occurring during or after hospitalization, it’s critical to talk with your healthcare provider about your risk.

When you arrive at the hospital, you should be checked for your risk; however, if you haven’t, it’s important you ask a doctor or nurse. Equally, if you’ve been told you’re at risk of thrombosis and have been given medicine, stockings, or other devices, it’s important that you understand how to use them properly. Don’t be afraid to ask hospital staff about reducing your VTE risk – it could save your life.

Sign the Pledge

As a patient, it is my right to be assessed for my risk in developing VTE and I pledge to advocate for my own health.

I pledge to exercise the right and ask healthcare professionals about my risk and proper preventative steps.

I pledge to know and take seriously the signs and symptoms of DVT or PE and, if present, seek immediate medical treatment.

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