Recurring concern
Failure to reliably diagnose and refer suspected DVT
- Reports that mention this concern
- 5
- Times this concern has been raised
- 6
- Stated actions linked to this concern
- 5
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.
What is 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.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, 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.
Reports and published responses 5 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
-
Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise that a low Wells score does not exclude DVT or PE
Linked response
- Royal College of General Practitioners
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
Royal College of General Practitioners
Develop an e-learning module highlighting correct interpretation of the DVT Wells score.
-
Royal College of General Practitioners
Promote the e-learning module through the members’ network and the Chair’s blog.
-
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.
Linked response
- the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
-
the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Audit ED staff compliance with documentation requirements and repeat the audit monthly.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
The Trust was unaware of the suspected clot, and a painful leg alone was not necessarily indicative of a clot.
-
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.
Linked response
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
-
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Undertake routine extended whole-leg scans covering veins below the knee to the calf trifurcation.
-
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Contact high-risk patients with raised D-dimers after 5–7 days and arrange repeat scanning when symptoms have not settled.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
-
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Routine repeat scans are unnecessary because whole-leg scans are routinely performed and follow-up scans are arranged when symptoms fail to settle.
-
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.
Linked responses
- Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Department of Health and Social Care
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
-
Department of Health and Social Care
Evidence does not establish that lower-leg scanning would have changed treatment, because benefits of treating isolated distal DVT remain unclear.
-
Department of Health and Social Care
NICE is responsible for considering and responding on whether lower-leg scanning should be included in relevant clinical guidance.
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Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The hospital will not change distal DVT ultrasound processes because additional scans may not detect all clots and empiric anticoagulation creates risks.
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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.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Data last updated 7 September 2026