Which Procedures Contribute Most to the System-Wide Burden of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism?

A small number of procedures contributes to the system-wide burden of VTE. High-risk procedures are important targets for standardized prophylaxis protocols. For low-risk procedures, careful attention should be paid to patient-specific factors that may increase VTE risk such as obesity, cancer, or limited mobility, as many common procedures contribute greatly to the systemic burden of VTE. Overall, surveillance can perhaps be targeted on a smaller number of procedures, allowing for more efficient use of quality improvement resources.