Venous Thrombo-embolism (VTE) is the leading direct cause of maternal death in the UK. Although maternal mortality from VTE is low, pregnancy increases the relative risk four to six fold (rate of death from VTE: 1.01 per 100,000 maternities in 2011-13). VTE prevention is a key process improvement measure of the Maternity and Children Quality Improvement Collaborative (MCQIC) part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP). The MCQIC VTE measure is a bundle of interventions derived from best practice. This project aimed to improve 1 element of the bundle: documented risk assessment at a woman’s initial antenatal booking appointment with women given general written information on risk in pregnancy and prophylaxis options. Aim: By January 2016 the number of women diagnosed with a VTE at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH), Paisley will have reduced by 10%.
