Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in Pediatric Trauma—Time for National Guidelines

The prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, in trauma patients is an important goal for all who provide care for adult trauma patients. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is a critical component of our trauma admission orders and performance improvement program. The American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program in 2012 added VTE prophylaxis to its process-of-care measures and to the National Trauma Data Standard.¹