City creates new network to tackle deadly health problem

Shanghai has established a network for the prevention and control of venous thromboembolism, or VTE - blood clots.

It is the third leading vascular disease after heart attacks and strokes and the third leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

VTE includes pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. VTE is an under-diagnosed and serious, but preventable medical condition.

“It is important to set up an effective network for VTE prevention and control through neighborhood, district- and city-level hospitals, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, as part of the city's quality and management supervision system,” said Dr Qu Jieming, president of Ruijin Hospital.

Qin Jing, vice director of he Shanghai Health Commission said the city will establish a plan for local hospitals and improve the management and treatment of VTE through early screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Officials said the nation's prevention and control of VTE lags behind Western countries and many doctors don’t have enough awareness, jeopardizing patient health.

Shanghai’s VTE network will cover 20 hospitals with a clinical expert commission consisting of nearly 260 specialists from 12 departments. Clinical rules and guidance will also be worked out to perfect VTE diagnosis and treatment and promote VTE prevention and control from leading hospitals to grassroots hospitals and the community, officials said.