Updated guidelines to reduce venous thromboembolism in trauma patients: A Western Trauma Association critical decisions algorithm

This algorithm was designed to provide comprehensive and clear guidance aimed at reducing the VTE rate after trauma. Although there are multiple factors that will lead to deviations from the presented algorithm, most trauma patients should be initiated on early and higher doses of enoxaparin that often should be adjusted by anti-Xa levels. For most trauma patients, pharmacologic prophylaxis should continue uninterrupted throughout the hospital stay and at times after discharge. Avoiding preventable and non–evidence-based delays to the initiation and missed doses of pharmacologic prophylaxis should be a best-practice focus of all trauma centers, and it has clearly been associated with decreased rates of VTE events.