Recurring concern
Failure to reliably diagnose and refer suspected DVT
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Request correctionFirst reported 23 Oct 2013•Latest report 15 Sep 2025
What this concern includes
Includes failures in the dedicated suspected-DVT process, including assessment and documentation, interpretation of risk tools, consideration or completion of appropriate imaging, referral to emergency or specialist care, and coordination of DVT diagnosis and management.
Not included
- Excludes thromboprophylaxis and other preventive measures intended to prevent venous thromboembolism where suspected-DVT diagnosis or referral is not the unsafe condition.
- Excludes pulmonary-embolism treatment after suspected PE has been identified, unless the failure directly concerns recognition or referral of suspected DVT.
- Excludes generic clinical documentation, communication or referral deficiencies without a material suspected-DVT diagnosis or referral context.
- Excludes failures occurring after suspected DVT has been reliably diagnosed and referred, including downstream treatment failures.
- Reports
- 5
- Individual concerns
- 6
- Date range
- 2013–2025
- Stated actions
- 5
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise that a low Wells score does not exclude DVT or PE
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Develop an e-learning module highlighting correct interpretation of the DVT Wells score.
Stated by Royal College of General Practitioners -
Action
Promote the e-learning module through the members’ network and the Chair’s blog.
Stated by Royal College of General Practitioners
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Concerns raised1
Failure to record a differential diagnosis of DVT
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Audit ED staff compliance with documentation requirements and repeat the audit monthly.
Stated by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The Trust was unaware of the suspected clot, and a painful leg alone was not necessarily indicative of a clot.
Stated by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure of the DVT investigation protocol to provide repeat proximal leg vein ultrasound scanning after a positive D-dimer test and negative proximal leg ultrasound scan
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Undertake routine extended whole-leg scans covering veins below the knee to the calf trifurcation.
Stated by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust -
Action
Contact high-risk patients with raised D-dimers after 5–7 days and arrange repeat scanning when symptoms have not settled.
Stated by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Routine repeat scans are unnecessary because whole-leg scans are routinely performed and follow-up scans are arranged when symptoms fail to settle.
Stated by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
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Concerns raised2
Failure to consider full-leg scanning for suspected lower-leg DVT
Inconsistent practice regarding lower-leg scanning for deep vein thrombosis
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
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Position
Evidence does not establish that lower-leg scanning would have changed treatment, because benefits of treating isolated distal DVT remain unclear.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Position
NICE is responsible for considering and responding on whether lower-leg scanning should be included in relevant clinical guidance.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care -
Position
The hospital will not change distal DVT ultrasound processes because additional scans may not detect all clots and empiric anticoagulation creates risks.
Stated by Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure of registration, assessment and referral documentation and consultation records to facilitate early diagnosis of DVT and low-threshold referral to A&E
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026