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Objective To assess risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in African women in order to guide thromboprophylaxis. Methods A case‐control study was performed at a specialist obstetric unit in South Africa from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020. We identified 128 cases with VTE and 640 controls, matched for gestation. Results Prepartum risk factors associated with VTE included; medical comorbidities (odds ratios [OR] 5.32, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.82–15.56), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.50–5.41), and hospital admission or immobility (OR 5.33, 95% CI 1.17–24.22). Postpartum, the following were identified as significant risk factors; medical comorbidities (OR 23.72, 95% CI 8.75–64.27), hospital admission or immobility (OR 13.18, 95% CI 5.04–34.49), systemic infection (OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.28–15.68), HIV (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.49–6.87), pre‐eclampsia and fetal growth restriction (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.18–6.36), and postpartum hemorrhage (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.75–10.97). Antiretroviral therapy, opportunistic infections, and viral load >50 copies/ml, however, were not associated with VTE risk among HIV‐infected participants. Conclusion HIV was a significant risk factor for pregnancy‐related thrombosis. This was independent of traditional HIV risk factors. As such, future studies are recommended to explore the mechanisms of thrombosis associated with HIV infection.

Background and aimsThe occurrence rate of adverse events (AEs) related to care among hospitalized oncology patients in Switzerland remains unknown. The primary objective of this study was to describe, for the first time, the occurrence rate, type, severity of harm, and preventability of AEs related to care, reported in health records of hospitalized hematological and solid‐tumor cancer patients in three Swiss hospitals.MethodsUsing an adapted version of the validated Global Trigger Tool (GTT) from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, we conducted a retrospective record review of patients discharged from oncology units over a 6‐week period during 2018. Our convenience sample included all records from adult patients (≥18 years of age), diagnosed with cancer, and hospitalized (>24 hours). Per the GTT method, two trained nurses independently assessed patient records to identify AEs using triggers, and physicians from the included units analyzed the consensus of the two nurses. Together, they assessed the severity and preventability of each AE.ResultsFrom the sample of 224 reviewed records, we identified 661 triggers and 169 AEs in 94 of them (42%). Pain related to care was the most frequent AE (n = 29), followed by constipation (n = 17). AEs rates were 75.4 per 100 admissions and 106.6 per 1000 patient days. Most of the identified AEs (78%) caused temporary harm to the patient and required an intervention. Among AEs during hospitalization (n = 125), 76 (61%) were considered not preventable, 28 (22%) preventable, and 21 (17%) undetermined.ConclusionAbout half of the hospitalized oncology patients suffered from at least one AE related to care during their hospitalization. Pain, constipation, and nosocomial infections were the most frequent AEs. It is, therefore, essential to identify AEs to guide future clinical practice initiatives to ensure patient safety.