title: Medical prophylaxis: the value of an "opt in" policy.
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.
authors: McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. markacrowther@gmail.com
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Crowther
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*