Commentary on Modes of Failure in Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis

Abstract

In our previous article, Modes of Failure in Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis, we examined the points of failure in deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in our post-operative population. We retrospectively identified 128 post-operative patients that developed iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis. We showed that there were four primary areas of failure: stratification, ordering the correct intervention, delivering the correct intervention, and continuing the correct intervention. We found that 53% of patients were correctly stratified and only 15% of patients received the appropriate chemoprophylaxis at admission without inappropriately missed doses. Additionally, 89% of patients had a delay or interruption of mechanical prophylaxis and 75% had both inadequate mechanical and chemoprophylaxis.