Compliance with Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients: A Clinical Audit from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Early risk assessment and timely prophylaxis are recommended by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) to prevent DVT. This clinical audit aimed to evaluate compliance with DVT prophylaxis standards in a tertiary care ICU. Material and Methods: This prospective audit included 59 critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. Data on demographics, primary diagnoses, DVT risk factors, contraindications, and prophylaxis practices were collected. Risk assessment within 24 hours, type and timing of prophylaxis, and documentation of contraindications were compared against ISCCM guidelines. Results: Patients ranged from 11 to 90 years, with the majority in the 61–70 years age group (25.42%). Male patients comprised 52.54%, and 28.81% had recent surgical interventions. Primary diagnoses included neurological (18.64%), respiratory (16.95%), and cardiovascular disorders (15.25%). Within 24 hours, 86.44% of patients had at least one risk factor for DVT; 13.56% had no risk factors, which were documented. Contraindications to pharmacological prophylaxis were present in 44.07% and to mechanical prophylaxis in 55.93% of patients. Prophylaxis was administered to 23 patients (30.51% pharmacological, 6.78% mechanical, 1.69% both), while 61.02% did not receive prophylaxis due to contraindications. Timing of prophylaxis initiation was within 24 hours in 22.03% and after 24 hours in 16.95%. All patients had documented risk assessment and clearly recorded contraindications, reflecting 100% compliance with ISCCM standards. Conclusion: The audit demonstrates excellent adherence to ISCCM guidelines in risk assessment, prophylaxis administration, and documentation. Structured protocols effectively ensure safe and guideline-compliant DVT prevention in critically ill patients