In a hospital ward, the greatest risks to a patient's recovery are rarely static warning signs; they are shifting variables that often develop unseen. Although some factors are visible at admission, others emerge only as a patient’s condition changes. That is why continuous monitoring throughout the patient journey is important. World Thrombosis Day (October 13) brings this to the forefront. Each year, this global campaign draws attention to the hidden dangers of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
VTE remains a persistent global challenge. A review published in Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis describes VTE as a leading cause of preventable illness and death associated with hospitalization. The review also estimates that as many as 60% of VTE cases occur during a hospital stay or within 90 days after discharge.
VTE prevention is an important area of focus, but identifying who may be at risk is not always straightforward. Factors such as a history of VTE, active cancer or limited mobility may be evident at admission, while others can emerge following surgery, prolonged immobility, infection or changes in a patient’s overall condition.
When VTE occurs, the effects can be significant. According to the American Heart Association, VTE can contribute to longer hospital stays and is a leading cause of preventable death among hospitalized patients. Extended stays may also reduce the availability of beds and resources for other patients.
This is why preventive care matters. Rather than being a one-time consideration, it involves looking ahead and regularly assessing and monitoring VTE risk as a patient moves through the care journey. This approach can help clinical teams ask relevant questions at different points in patient care and support informed clinical decision-making.
Throughout October, Cardinal Health is inviting healthcare professionals across more than 30 markets worldwide to explore realistic patient scenarios from different specialties and care settings. The scenarios are not intended to offer a single solution. Instead, they are designed to encourage discussion about how VTE risk is identified and monitored. They show how risk factors can vary from one patient to another and how important it is to look beyond what is immediately visible.
World Thrombosis Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and keep these conversations going throughout the month and beyond. By sharing our educational resources and patient scenarios, we hope to provide healthcare professionals with practical content that supports informed conversations and decision-making. Our goal is to stand alongside healthcare teams year-round, providing the insights they need to champion patient care, promote efficient care delivery and make effective use of hospital resources.
You can learn more about our World Thrombosis Day educational resources and patient scenarios here.