BSOA - British Society of Orthopaedic Anaesthetists

 In 2005 the Health Select Committee published their report on the prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalised patients.  This invited the Government to do more to prevent the estimated 25,000 deaths occurring each year from this condition. As a response two reports have recently been published recommending the implementation of risk assessment, venous thromboprophylaxis guidelines and patient information programme.^1,2 The data presented was collected as part of a multinational audit of VTE risk and thromboprophylaxis in hospitalised patients (ENDORSE).³ Patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty and hip fracture surgery (HFS) are recognised to have the highest surgical VTE risk and therefore all should receive pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis with extended prophylaxis after discharge.^2,4 Anaesthetists have a responsibility to ensure adequate VTE prophylaxis is prescribed