Medical & Surgical Review Programme: Pulmonary Embolism Report 2019

Despite advances in the ability to prevent, diagnose and treat acute pulmonary embolism (PE) it remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Its association with air travel, hospitalisation, active cancer, pregnancy and some chronic conditions is well recognised and involves all age groups, including the young. Estimates suggest that there are more than 25,000 hospital deaths in the UK each year from venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Know the Score is a review by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) of the quality of care provided to patients aged over 16 years with a new diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

The aim of this study was to highlight areas where care could be improved in patients with a new diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The study looked at remediable factors in the process of care for patients with a new diagnosis of PE, who either presented to hospital with symptoms of PE and who were cared for as outpatients or were admitted to hospital, or who developed PE whilst in hospital being treated for another condition.

The study focused on NHS hospitals in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as public hospitals in the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.