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Reducing the risk of blood cots

Blood clots, or venous thromboembolism (VTE), are a major risk to patients in hospitals. VTE can be either a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of a limb or a pulmonary embolism where a part of the clot dislodges and travels up to the lungs. Symptoms vary from swelling of the limbs, to chest pain and shortness of breath.

In line with government recommendations, we use a risk assessment tool and aim to offer individual risk assessment and appropriate preventative treatment to all our adult patients. You can read about these risk factors and the things we do to prevent blood clots in our preventing blood clots patient information leaflet.

If you or a relative are coming into hospital please ask the doctors and nurses looking after you about your risk assessment and treatment.

More information

To find out more about VTE or thromboprophylaxis please visit: