Audit of compliance with Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis guidelines across medical and non-medical wards in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a significant and potentially preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Evidence-based guidelines recommend routine risk assessment and appropriate thromboprophylaxis for all admitted patients unless contraindicated. Despite clear recommendations, adherence to these guidelines varies across clinical settings.
Aim: This audit aimed to assess compliance with VTE prophylaxis guidelines across medical and non-medical inpatient wards in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A retrospective clinical audit was conducted including 100 patients admitted to medical, surgical, and obstetrics and gynecology wards. Data were collected on VTE risk assessment and appropriateness of prophylaxis. Compliance was evaluated against hospital policy aligned with NICE guidelines.
Results: Compliance with VTE prophylaxis guidelines was higher in medical wards (95%) compared to non-medical wards (75%), demonstrating significant variability between specialties.
Conclusion: While compliance was generally high in medical wards, lower adherence in non-medical wards highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve patient safety.