World Thrombosis Day: Cardinal Health Highlights the Importance of Continuous VTE Risk Assessment and Patient Safety
World Thrombosis Day, observed annually on October 13, highlights the importance of raising awareness about thrombosis and improving efforts to prevent potentially life-threatening blood clots. The global campaign draws attention to venous thromboembolism (VTE), a serious medical condition that includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). As healthcare organizations continue to focus on patient safety, early identification of risk factors and ongoing clinical assessment remain essential components of preventing avoidable complications during and after hospitalization.
Cardinal Health is using World Thrombosis Day to encourage healthcare professionals to have more informed conversations about patient risks and the importance of reassessing those risks throughout the care journey. Through educational resources and realistic patient scenarios, the company aims to help clinical teams examine how VTE risks can change over time and why preventive care should remain a priority across different specialties and healthcare settings.
The initiative reflects a broader need for healthcare providers to look beyond a patient’s initial presentation and consider how changes in medical conditions, mobility, treatment and recovery may affect the likelihood of developing blood clots.
Understanding the Global Challenge of Venous Thromboembolism
Venous thromboembolism is a condition in which blood clots form in the venous circulation. It includes two closely related conditions: deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot develops in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs. The condition may cause swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth or changes in skin color, although some people experience few or no noticeable symptoms.
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, or part of one, travels through the bloodstream and blocks an artery in the lungs. This can restrict blood flow and interfere with the body’s ability to receive oxygen. Depending on the size of the clot and the patient’s condition, pulmonary embolism can become a medical emergency.
Although VTE can affect people in different circumstances, hospitalization is an important setting for prevention efforts. Patients may experience several risk factors simultaneously, including reduced mobility, major surgery, serious illness and prolonged periods of bed rest.
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 estimates that as many as 60% of VTE cases occur during hospitalization or within 90 days after discharge.
These findings highlight the importance of extending preventive thinking beyond the hospital admission itself. Patients may continue to face elevated risks during recovery, particularly when their mobility remains limited or their underlying medical conditions require ongoing treatment.
For healthcare professionals, preventing VTE requires a combination of awareness, risk assessment, appropriate preventive measures and communication among members of the care team.
Why Patient Risk Can Change Throughout the Care Journey
One of the key challenges in preventing VTE is that a patient’s risk is not necessarily fixed. Information collected during admission provides an important starting point, but a patient’s medical circumstances can change substantially during hospitalization and recovery.
Some risk factors may be readily identifiable when a patient first enters the hospital. These include a previous history of VTE, active cancer, certain medical conditions and limited mobility.
Other factors may develop later. A patient who initially appears stable may undergo surgery, experience an infection, become less mobile or develop complications that change the clinical assessment.
For example, a patient recovering from surgery may spend several days with restricted movement. This reduced activity can affect blood circulation and increase the likelihood of clot formation, depending on the individual’s other risk factors.
Similarly, a patient admitted for an acute illness may experience changes in mobility or overall health that were not present at the beginning of the hospital stay.
These situations demonstrate why a single assessment at admission may not be sufficient for every patient. Clinical teams need to consider whether the original assessment remains appropriate as treatment progresses and the patient’s condition evolves.
Regular reassessment can help healthcare professionals identify changes that warrant additional attention. It also creates opportunities to review preventive strategies and determine whether they remain suitable for the patient’s current condition.
The objective is not simply to identify who may be at risk on the first day of hospitalization. It is to recognize how that risk may develop and respond appropriately as the patient moves through different stages of care.
The Consequences of VTE for Patients and Healthcare Systems
Venous thromboembolism can have serious consequences for individual patients and healthcare organizations.
For patients, complications may include prolonged recovery, additional medical treatment, repeat hospital visits and lasting health problems. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, while some patients with DVT may develop post-thrombotic syndrome, a condition associated with persistent pain, swelling and other symptoms in the affected limb.
The impact of VTE can also extend beyond the immediate medical event. Patients may require ongoing anticoagulant treatment, follow-up appointments and monitoring to help prevent further complications. These requirements can affect daily activities, recovery plans and quality of life.
The American Heart Association has highlighted VTE as a major concern in hospitalized patients, noting its association with preventable deaths and longer hospital stays.
When complications occur, patients may need additional diagnostic tests, treatment and monitoring. Extended hospital stays can increase demands on healthcare professionals, beds and other resources.
This creates challenges for hospitals already managing substantial patient volumes and competing clinical priorities.
Preventing avoidable VTE events can therefore support two closely related objectives: protecting patients from serious complications and helping healthcare organizations use their resources effectively.
However, prevention strategies must always be based on appropriate clinical assessment. Measures that may benefit one patient may not be suitable for another, and decisions about preventive treatment must account for factors such as bleeding risk, medical history and the patient’s current condition.
Effective prevention depends on identifying the relevant risks, selecting appropriate interventions and reviewing the patient’s response as care progresses.
Moving Beyond a One-Time Risk Assessment
World Thrombosis Day provides an opportunity to reinforce the importance of making VTE prevention an ongoing part of patient care.
A one-time assessment can help clinicians establish a baseline understanding of a patient’s risk. However, that assessment may need to be revisited when significant clinical changes occur.
A more continuous approach encourages healthcare teams to consider questions such as whether a patient’s mobility has changed, whether a new procedure or diagnosis affects their risk, and whether existing preventive measures remain appropriate.
These discussions can help clinicians identify changes that might otherwise be overlooked during busy hospital routines.
Regular reassessment also supports communication among physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s treatment. When information is shared effectively, team members can make more informed decisions and respond to emerging concerns.
The approach is particularly relevant when patients transition between different care settings. A person may move from an emergency department to an inpatient ward, undergo surgery, transfer to a rehabilitation facility or return home with ongoing care needs.
Each transition can introduce new considerations for assessing and managing VTE risk.
Discharge planning is especially important because the risk of VTE does not necessarily end when a patient leaves the hospital. Healthcare professionals need to consider whether further preventive measures, education or follow-up are appropriate based on the patient’s circumstances.
By making risk assessment part of the broader care journey, healthcare teams can strengthen the connection between hospital-based prevention and post-discharge care.
Cardinal Health Encourages Clinical Conversations Through Patient Scenarios
To support awareness and education, Cardinal Health is inviting healthcare professionals across more than 30 markets worldwide to explore realistic patient scenarios throughout October.
The scenarios cover different medical specialties and care settings. They are designed to encourage discussions about how VTE risks can vary between individuals and change as their clinical circumstances evolve.
Rather than presenting one universal answer for every situation, the educational materials encourage healthcare professionals to consider the specific characteristics of each patient.
This approach recognizes that VTE prevention involves clinical judgment and a careful evaluation of multiple factors. A patient’s age, medical history, mobility, diagnosis, treatment and risk of bleeding may all influence decisions about appropriate preventive care.
Patient scenarios can help healthcare professionals examine these considerations in a practical context. They also provide opportunities to discuss how clinical teams identify risk factors, communicate concerns and reassess patients as their conditions change.
For example, a discussion might explore how the risk profile of a patient changes after surgery or how limited mobility affects preventive planning during a prolonged hospital stay.
Another scenario might focus on the importance of considering VTE risk when planning discharge for a patient who continues to have mobility limitations.
These examples can encourage teams to reflect on their existing practices and identify opportunities to strengthen awareness and communication.
By providing educational resources that support these discussions, Cardinal Health aims to help healthcare professionals approach VTE prevention as a continuing clinical responsibility rather than an isolated task.
The Role of Education in Improving Patient Safety
Education is an important part of efforts to improve patient safety and reduce preventable complications.
Healthcare professionals need access to information that helps them recognize potential risks, understand relevant clinical considerations and communicate effectively with colleagues and patients.
Educational initiatives can also encourage teams to review their procedures and identify areas where risk assessments may need to be reinforced.
For VTE prevention, this includes understanding common risk factors, recognizing when a patient’s circumstances have changed and knowing when additional clinical evaluation may be warranted.
Equally important is helping patients understand why preventive measures may be recommended. Patients who know how their mobility, medical condition and recovery process can influence their health may be better prepared to participate in discussions about their care.
Depending on the individual’s clinical situation, healthcare professionals may discuss appropriate movement, prescribed preventive treatments, warning signs and instructions for seeking medical attention.
Patient education should be tailored to individual needs and should complement, rather than replace, professional assessment and treatment.
Clear communication is particularly valuable during transitions between care settings, when patients and caregivers may need to understand ongoing treatment plans and follow-up requirements.
By supporting education for both healthcare professionals and patients, healthcare organizations can contribute to a stronger culture of prevention.
Supporting Efficient Care Delivery and Hospital Resources
Preventing VTE is not only a clinical priority but also an important consideration for healthcare operations.
Hospitals must balance patient safety, clinical quality, staffing requirements, bed availability and the efficient delivery of services. Avoidable complications can create additional demands across these areas.
When VTE results in an extended hospital stay, the patient may require additional monitoring, diagnostic investigations and treatment. These demands can affect the availability of resources for other patients who also need medical attention.
Prevention strategies that help identify risks earlier may support more effective care planning and reduce the likelihood of some avoidable complications. However, outcomes depend on the patient’s condition, the preventive measures used and how consistently appropriate care is delivered.
Continuous assessment and clear communication can help teams make better-informed decisions about preventive measures and follow-up requirements.
Cardinal Health’s educational initiative reflects the importance of connecting clinical awareness with practical decision-making. By encouraging healthcare professionals to examine different patient scenarios, the company aims to support conversations that can inform patient care and the use of hospital resources.
Keeping World Thrombosis Day’s Message Relevant Throughout the Year
World Thrombosis Day, observed on October 13, serves as an annual reminder of the importance of preventing blood clots and recognizing their potential consequences.
However, the need for awareness extends beyond a single day. Patients are admitted to hospitals throughout the year, and their risk factors can change at any point during treatment or recovery.
Cardinal Health is encouraging healthcare professionals to continue discussing VTE risk throughout October and beyond by using educational materials and patient scenarios to support clinical reflection.
The company’s approach emphasizes the value of asking the right questions at different points in the care journey, considering individual patient circumstances and maintaining awareness of emerging risks.
These efforts align with the broader healthcare goal of delivering safer, more coordinated and more efficient care.
Ultimately, preventing VTE requires more than recognizing a list of risk factors. It involves understanding how those factors interact, reassessing patients when circumstances change and ensuring that appropriate preventive measures and follow-up plans are considered.
Through its World Thrombosis Day initiative, Cardinal Health aims to stand alongside healthcare professionals by providing educational resources that support informed conversations and patient-centered decision-making.
As healthcare systems continue working to reduce preventable complications, sustained attention to VTE risk assessment can help reinforce patient safety as an essential part of everyday clinical practice.
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