Background: A variety of risk prediction scores have been devised to identify patients at increased risk for VTE in different patient populations and settings. Guideline recommendations for VTE risk assessment vary greatly. We performed a systematic review to identify and synthesize evidence on clinical risk prediction scores for VTE in medical and surgical hospitalized patients. [...]

Background: A variety of risk prediction scores have been devised to identify patients at increased risk for VTE in different patient populations and settings. Guideline recommendations for VTE risk assessment vary greatly. We performed a systematic review to identify and synthesize evidence on clinical risk prediction scores for VTE in medical and surgical hospitalized patients. [...]

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) can complicate any operative procedure although this risk is mitigated through the use of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis.  While antibiotic prophylaxis can provide great benefit, inappropriate use can lead to the development of multi-drug resistant organisms causing increased morbidity, mortality, and cost. Although national clinical guidelines for preoperative antibiotics prophylaxis were [...]

Background: Chemoprophylaxis with subcutaneous heparin or low-molecular weight heparin is recommended for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention in appropriate medical patients.  However, all doses are not always administered and the consequences are unclear.  We sought to determine if there is a relationship between missed and/or refused doses and development of in-hospital VTEs. Methods: The study is [...]

Background: Risk stratifying patients for potential development of hospital-related venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important aspect of inpatient safety and is recommended by current guidelines.  Many risk stratification tools are cumbersome and require significant time to complete.  Developments have been made to partially or fully automate risk stratification tools, however there are restrictions within the [...]

Background: Peripherally inserted center catheter (PICC) use is associated with many complications including thromboembolism. The role of pharmacological prophylaxis in prevention of PICC line related thromboembolism is controversial. In our study,we assessed the role of pharmacological prophylaxis in the prevention of PICC line related thromboembolic complication. Methods: We reviewed the electronic medical records in our center [...]

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common preventable condition in hospitalized medical patients. Chemoprophylaxis with heparin or fondaparinux has been recommended for all hospitalized patients who are not at low risk, and appropriate thromboprophylaxis is a hospital quality measure. However, the specific threshold of VTE risk that warrants prophylaxis has not been defined. We used [...]