This course explains how to prevent hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism in adults, following NICE guideline NG89. It covers risk assessment, balancing thrombosis and bleeding risk, choosing pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis, specific patient groups, and how to involve patients, with worked examples for medical and surgical patients.
What you will learn
- Explain what hospital-acquired thrombosis is and why venous thromboembolism prevention is a patient safety priority.
- Carry out a VTE and bleeding risk assessment on admission and reassess at the right times, as recommended in NICE NG89.
- Select appropriate pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis, including contraindications and the correct use of anti-embolism stockings.
- Apply NG89 principles to common patient groups, including acutely ill medical patients, surgical patients, people with stroke, and pregnant women.
- Give patients clear verbal and written information about VTE and prophylaxis, including on discharge.
Course content
- Why VTE prevention matters (2 min)
- Risk assessment: when and how (2 min)
- Choosing prophylaxis (2 min)
- Specific patient groups (2 min)
- Worked example: a medical admission (3 min)
- Worked example: a surgical patient (3 min)
- Patient information, discharge and safety (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- NICE guideline NG89: Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (2018, updated 2019)
- NICE quality standard QS3: Venous thromboembolism in adults: reducing the risk in hospital
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: Green-top Guideline 37a: Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and the puerperium
- Department of Health VTE risk assessment tool, or a published national tool recommended by NICE
- GMC: Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices; NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018); GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017)
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.