Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes phenomena such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus, can affect any branch of the venous system. It is estimated that the incidence of VTE in patients of European origin is similar to that of stroke. VTE is relatively common and is associated with reduced survival and substantial healthcare costs.1 Thirty per cent of patients who have experienced a VTE can expect to have a recurrence within 10 years. Adjusted mean predicted costs for patients with VTE are approximately 2.5 times higher for hospitalised patients than for those with a diagnosis of active cancer.
It is estimated that up to one in four hospital inpatients judged to be at risk will develop a DVT, with patients on the critical care unit (CCU) being at particular risk. Without appropriate preventative measures, the incidence of VTE can be as high as 50%. Pulmonary embolus is the third most common cause of death in patients after day 1.1–3 Ensuring that acknowledged preventative measures are effectively and consistently implemented will increase patient safety and improve patient experience by reducing occurrence, morbidity and length of stay, and may also reduce costs and free up resources.
