New app allows smartphone to manage thrombosis more freely

Rebecca Chanda, specialist anticoagulation pharmacist has won an Oscar award for being an ambassador for VTE prevention from Lifeblood, the Thrombosis Charity, as the charity marks its 10th birthday.  

Awarded for her ambassadorship at the House of Commons last month, Rebecca is recognised for adapting the national guidelines for managing VTE into simple algorithms for clinicians to follow on their smartphone as they care for their patients whilst being away from a computer.  

A venous thrombosis is a blood clot that forms within a vein. It can potentially break off and become a life-threatening pulmonary embolism so it is important that VTE is managed carefully.

Rebecca Chanda worked with Professor Beverley Hunt and Cranworth Medical to develop a pioneering phone app in May 2011 to help clinicians manage VTE at a touch of a button.      

Since its launch, 5,000 people have downloaded this app in over 20 countries. The app has gone on to win 2nd prize at the Thrombus Innovation Awards in November 2011.

Rebecca consulted with doctors along the way to ensure the app design met their needs before the app was launched.  

Junior doctor, Adrian Shields said: ‘This app is a highly accessible clinical resource at junior doctors’ fingertips. It neatly summarises all of the trust guidelines for anticoagulation in one place saving valuable time.’

Rebecca Chanda said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award. It has been a pleasure to work with the thrombosis team and Cranworth Medical to produce an innovative app for VTE prevention. We are excited about using similar technology in the future to develop patient information resources.’

Beverley Hunt, professor of haemostasis and thrombosis at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Medical Director for the Lifeblood charity, said: ‘Rebecca has worked over and above her role as a highly specialised anticoagulant pharmacist. This is a well deserved award and testament to her dedication. She was an important part of the team that designed an award winning iPhone app containing all Guy’s and St Thomas’ anticoagulant and thrombosis prevention and management guidelines whilst doing her day to day job. This has been downloaded throughout the world.’

Due to popular demand, Rebecca and Beverley are currently working with Cranworth Medical to develop an Android version of the app for Blackberry, HTC and Samsung phones in the next few months. This app is freely downloadable via the itunes app store.