Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is the process by which blood clots occur and travel through the veins. This includes Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of a blood clot in one of the deep veins in the body, such as the leg or pelvis. It also includes Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in which the arteries leading from the heart to the lungs become blocked by a clot.

Surgery and hospitalization is associated with up to a twenty-fold increase in the odds of a patient being diagnosed with VTE.  (Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:761-768)

Studies have shown that appropriately used thrombo prophylaxis medication has a positive risk versus benefit ratio, and is cost effective, for patients. Recommendations for ordering prophylaxis within 24 hours of the patients’ surgery are based on selected surgical procedures from the 2004 American College of Chest Physicians guidelines.

The most recent report (3rd Qtr., 2008), shows 94% of appropriate surgery patients at UAMS received appropriate thrombo prophylaxis within 24 hours of the surgery compared with the national average of 81% and the average for University Healthsystem Consortium of 94%.