Tools for Healthcare Professionals

World Thrombosis Day is focused on venous thromboembolism (VTE) and hospitalization as a leading risk factor for VTE. Despite the fact that VTE can be prevented, patients at high risk for developing the condition often don’t receive life-saving prevention. Through education and outreach, WTD hopes to reduce VTE-related death - the majority of which is hospital-associated - by encouraging healthcare professionals to Know VTE and be knowledgeable about:

• Risk factors for VTE
• Signs and symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT, or blood clots in the legs) or pulmonary embolism (PE, or blood clots in the lungs)
• The importance of conducting a VTE risk assessment for all hospitalized patients
• Evidence-based prevention strategies
• Early and accurate diagnosis and management

WTD is a timely opportunity to discuss, update or establish your organization’s VTE policy. Preventing clots is a patient safety issue and should be a standard of care for all hospitalized patients. Policies should engage all staff involved in patient care and strive for high compliance. While there is no universal policy on VTE prevention, several models exist.

New: online education modules on hospital-associated vte

Explore two free online education modules provided in collaboration between Medscape Education and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) on behalf of WTD. Click the images below to access each module. Please note that users must create a Medscape Education free account in order to access the modules.

Campaign Materials

• Infographic for Healthcare Professionals
• Know Thrombosis Infographic
• Know AFib Infographic
• Know Thrombosis Poster for Healthcare Professionals
• Know Thrombosis Infographic for Hospital-Associated VTE
• Banner: We Support World Thrombosis Day

VTE Guidelines & Resources

• Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th Edition (American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2012)
• Asian Venous Thromboembolism Guidelines: Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (The Asian Venous Thrombosis Forum, 2012)
• Clinical Pathways in the Prevention and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism (Ministry of Health Malaysia, 2013)
• Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Admitted to Australian Hospitals (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2009)
• Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism (European Society of Cardiology, 2014)
• OB VTE Safety Recommendations (Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)
• Preventing Hospital-Acquired Venous Thromboembolism: A Guide for Effective Quality Improvement (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2014)
• Prevention and Management of Venous Thromboembolism: A National Clinical Guideline (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, 2010)
• Stroke VTE Safety Recommendations (Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety, 2015)
• Venous Thromboembolism Measures (The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, 2008)
• Venous Thromboembolism: Reducing the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism (Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism) in Patients Admitted to the Hospital, Clinical Guidance 92 (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2010)
• Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis (Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, 2012)
• VTE Risk Assessment Guide (Thrombosis Advisor)

Additional information about VTE risk assessment models, including literature on validation studies, is available on our resources page.

For additional WTD campaign resources, including templates for organizational events or activities, visit the WTD partners page.