Impact on patient care: patient case through the continuum of care

Hospitalized patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism and the Joint Commission has initiated practice measures to improve the rates of preventable events. The Joint Commission also initiated the National Patient Safety Goals for medication prescribing and administration, of which, goal 03.05.01 is specifically aimed at anticoagulation therapy. These measures and goals are consistent with the American College of Chest Physicians' Consensus Guidelines on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. This narrative review uses a case-based approach that brings up practical clinical questions regarding these measures, goals and guidelines as they apply to a patient going through the continuum of care from the hospital to their home.