Reducing the risk of blood clots (VTE) for patients going home after a hospital stay

Make sure you remain aware of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) when you go home after a stay in hospital.

Blood clots sometimes happen after you go home. The risk is higher in the first 3 months. Make sure you have been given a VTE going Home Bag and follow the instructions written on the bag about what to do to reduce your risk of blood clots, how do you know if you have a blood clot and what to do if it happens to you.

This is what the VTE going Home Bag looks like:

What is VTE?

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition in which a blood clot forms, most often in the deep veins of the leg, groin or arm, known as Deep Vein Thrombosis, (DVT).

These clots may break free and travel in the blood, lodging in the lungs, known as Pulmonary Embolism, (PE). Together, DVT and PE are known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

VTE is often associated with being in hospital and can develop during your stay and up to 3 months after going home.

Before leaving hospital

• Read information about how to reduce the risks of VTE.
• Check if you need anti-clotting medication. If so, ask the nurse how to take it correctly and do not miss any doses.

After leaving hospital

• • Don’t sit for longer than 1 hour at a time.
  • Keep pain under control to allow movement
  • Make sure you follow the leg and breathing exercises detailed in our guidance – Blood Clots: Reducing the risks

Information about VTE

• Blood Clots: Reducing the risk
• Advice for patients following venous thromboembolism (VTE)
• Leg casts and blood clots, reducing the risks