510 Mechanical VTE Prophylaxis in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Abstract Aim VTE prophylaxis is widely recognized as an essential component to reduce venous thromboembolism. Patients undergoing abdominal surgery have increased risk of VTE. NICE guidelines NG89 suggest starting mechanical VTE prophylaxis on admission. The purpose of this clinical audit was to assess if mechanical VTE prophylaxis is prescribed to all patients undergoing abdominal surgery on admission and investigate if the prescribed mechanical VTE prophylaxis is implemented. Method Two audit cycles were completed. Concurrent study of the data of the first 30 patients undergone abdominal surgery after 03/10/2023 (1st cycle) and 30 patients after 20/11/2023 (2nd cycle) were analysed. Patients having contraindications for mechanical VTE prophylaxis were excluded. Data were collected by reviewing patients’ drug charts and inspecting in person if mechanical VTE prophylaxis was implemented. An action plan between the two cycles was suggested. Results Reviewing the drug charts, TEDS were prescribed to all patients included in the cohort (100%) in both cycles. At the first cycle of the audit of the total audit cohort, compliance with NG89 NICE Guidelines (implementation of mechanical VTE prophylaxis) was 77%. The rest 23% of the cohort either were not given TEDstockings or found them unnecessary. At the second cycle of the audit, there was an improvement and the number of patients wearing TEDstockings was increased. Conclusions The implementation of mechanical VTE prophylaxis as per NICE guidelines was poorly adhered to at the beginning of this investigation but it was improved after the action plan was implemented.