Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: the role of the nurse

Venous thromboembolism is the most common preventable cause of hospital death, with surgical and medical patients at a significantly increased risk. It is estimated that, without prophylaxis, it occurs in 20% of general medical and surgical patients, and 40-60% of orthopaedic patients. It accounts for 25-times greater mortality than meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Despite overwhelming evidence advocating the routine use of thromboprophylaxis, provision is persistently deficient. It has been demonstrated that involvement of the nursing profession in initiatives to improve provision is important and effective. Recent years have seen the nursing profession continue to evolve and take the lead in a number of areas of preventive medicine, and to develop specialist nursing roles. The authors believe that this drive must be harnessed so that the profession can enact the routine provision of thromboprophylaxis to patients.