Factors associated with thromboprophylaxis for orthopedic patients and their impact on outcome.

We conducted a study to identify the factors affecting inpatient thromboprophylaxis use and to assess the impact of pharmacologic prophylaxis on the incidence of postsurgical venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our ultimate goal was to close the gap in knowledge about the need for thromboprophylaxis, including aspirin use. Although prophylaxis was effective in reducing VTE risk in orthopedic patients, it seemed to be underused at some hospitals, and use of aspirin alone in these patients con-thenumber of hand kneereplacements tinues despite guidelines recommending otherwise.