ABSTRACT
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). VTE aects up to 900,000 patients per year and results in 300,000 deaths per year. e incidence has remained constant since the 1980s and may be increasing in frequency as VTE risk increases with age.1 VTE is a common cause of emergency department visits, accounting for 175 of every 100,000 visits by individuals aged >60 years in the United States.2 VTE has been identied as a major threat to the safety of hospitalized patients.3 In 2008, the US Surgeon General’s Call to Action for VTE prevention was published, advocating for development of evidence-based practices for VTE screening and prevention.4 is resulted in advancements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of VTE.
