Evaluating Adequacy of VTE Prophylaxis Dosing with Enoxaparin for Overweight and Obese Patients on an Orthopedic-Medical Trauma Comanagement Service

Abstract

Overweight and obese orthopedic-medical trauma patients are at higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) because of their weight and added factors of stress and immobility during trauma, surgery, and hospitalization. The guidelines for prophylactic dosing are not clear regarding weight-based dosing. Inadequate prophylaxis can increase the VTE rate, which was found to be high at our institution. As such, it was important to evaluate current prophylaxis practice and VTE burden to inform the need for modifying dosing practice guidelines.