Update information
August 2019: Recommendation 1.12.11 was amended to clarify when anti-embolism stockings can be used for VTE prophylaxis for people with spinal injury.
March 2018: New recommendations were added on risk assessment for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and reducing the risk of VTE. These recommendations are marked as [2018].
Some changes were made to clarify recommendation wording without an evidence review. These recommendations are marked as [2010, amended 2018].
Recommendations are marked as [2010] when the evidence was last reviewed in 2010.
Minor changes since publication
September 2025: In recommendations 1.1.2 and 1.1.5 in the section on risk assessment, we highlighted the need to assess people for the risk of VTE and bleeding if they have been in accident and emergency for 12 hours or more. We also changed 'admission' to 'decision to admit' in recommendations 1.1.4 and 1.1.7.
March 2025: We updated links to relevant technology appraisal guidance in the sections on elective hip replacement and elective knee replacement.
May 2021: Recommendation 1.9.1 was amended to clarify that the Department of Health tool is commonly used to develop a treatment plan.
January 2021: Recommendations 1.1.2 and 1.1 5 were amended to clarify that the Department of Health tool is commonly used to develop a treatment plan.
November 2020: We added links in the sections on acutely ill medical patients and interventions for critical care to the NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline on reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism in over 16s.
December 2019: In recommendation 1.3.5 the British Standards for anti-embolism hosiery were updated because BS 6612 and BS 7672 have been withdrawn.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-2871-2