Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the life-threatening combination of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Reducing VTE complications reduces hospital readmissions and the hospital standardized mortality ratio (HSMR). Hospital-acquired VTE can be reduced significantly by creating effective protocols, including an agreed-upon prophylaxis medication regimen, for hospitalized patients who are at risk of VTE.
Articles
Identifying unprovoked thromboembolism patients at low risk for recurrence who can discontinue anticoagulant therapy 
CMAJ, August 26, 2008, 179(5): 417-26. This article discusses the safe discontinuation of anticoagulants after an unprovoked VTE. 
Meta-analysis: Anticoagulant Prophylaxis to Prevent Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Medical Patients
Annals of Internal Medicine, February 20, 2007, 146(4): 278-288. An examination of the effects of anticoagulant prophylaxis to prevent VTE in hospitalized patients.
Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism 
Circulation 2004, 110: e445-e447. This article outlines a number of DVT prevention strategies.
Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism
CHEST 119(1), June 2008, 132S-175S. This article reviews the literature related to the risks and prevention of VTE, and provides practical suggestions for prophylaxis.
Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition)
CHEST 133 (6Suppl), June 2008: 381S-453S. The American College of Chest Physicians’ evidenced-based clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of VTE.
Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism after Knee Arthroplasty
Annals of Internal Medicine, April 1, 1996, 124(7): 619-26. This article compares the effectiveness and safety of fixed-dose enoxaparin and adjusted-dose warfarin in preventing VTE following knee arthroplasty.
Venous Thromboembolism Prevention Hospital Award
Safer Healthcare Now! (SHN), 2010. Details on the winners of SHN’s VTE Award.
Getting Started Kit: Venous Thromboembolism Prevention
Safer Healthcare Now! (SHN), November 2011. Best practice interventions for the prevention of VTE.
IHI Improvement Map: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prevention & Treatment
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The IHI Improvement Map is an interactive tool that helps hospital leaders in the United States improve quality outcomes by guiding their improvement efforts.
Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A Practical Guide to Evaluation and Improvement
Center for Outcomes Research, University of Massachusetts Medical Center. A best practices guide to evaluation of VTE and improvement in treatment.
Venous Thromboembolism Learning Collaborative: “Stop the Clot”
Canadian Patient Safety Institute. The Institute’s Safer Healthcare Now! faculty offers support and guidance in implementing patient safety improvement projects.
Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis: Clinical Evidence and Guidelines
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, April 2011. A listing of clinical evidence and guidelines for the prevention of VTE in emergency rooms.
Venous thromboembolism: reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in patients admitted to hospital
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2010. Guidelines for identifying and reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients.
