'Lansley must listen to nurses on the front line' Half of patients at risk of VTE
More than half of patients in hospital are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and should be given prophylaxis, according to an international study.
Researchers analysed 68,183 patients in 358 hospitals across 32 countries and assessed VTE risk using hospital charts and US guidelines.
Using these criteria 51.8% were at risk of VTE. However, there were marked differences between countries in the percentage receiving prophylaxis. Just 37% of UK medical and 74% of surgical patients received prophylaxis, compared with 70% and 92% in Germany.
The Lancet (2008) 371: 387–394
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