Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Geriatrics Inpatients

ABSTRACT

@#Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the significant causes of morbidity and mortality for hospital inpatients. The use of VTE prophylaxis in high-risk patients admitted under Geriatric Medicine in RIPAS Hospital, Brunei was evaluated. The electronic medical records of all patients admitted under Geriatric Medicine between 1st February 2022 and 28th February 2022 were reviewed. For these patients, the risk of developing VTE, bleeding risk and whether they were prescribed VTE prophylaxis were assessed. There were 34 patients identified, of which 20 (58.8%) were female. Median age was 81 years, ranging from 64 to 93 years. There were 13 (38.2%) COVID-positive patients, of which 9 (69.2%) were considered high VTE risk. Among these 9 patients, 4 (44.4%) were low bleed risk; of these 4 patients only two were prescribed VTE prophylaxis. Among the 21 non-COVID patients, 17 (80.9%) were high VTE risk. There were 11 (64.7%) with low bleed risk among the 17 patients in the group. Of the 11 patients only 3 (27.3%) were prescribed VTE prophylaxis. The use of VTE prophylaxis among Geriatric Medicine inpatients could be improved. Use of the VTE prophylaxis protocol should be emphasised to clinicians and re-audited to ensure compliance