abstract
- Medical thromboprophylaxis reduces venous thromboembolism (VTE), while causing bleeding. Routine application of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis to low risk medical patients is likely to cause net harm; as a result only moderate or high risk patients should be exposed to VTE prophylaxis. To avoid unneeded exposure to VTE prophylaxis health care providers should use an "opt-in" policy which does not default to the use of VTE prophylaxis in inappropriate patients.