Useful resources
This learning area has been compiled from a range of evidence. You may now be motivated to go deeper into the topic so a range of different resources are listed below and wherever possible we have tried to create direct links to them. Where direct linking is not possible we provide information on where sources can be accessed. These listings will get you started and as a lifelong learner you will be able to identify other sources beyond these that are specifically relevant to you.
If you find other useful material then perhaps you could share this by providing the details, or even writing a review and submitting this to learning.zone@rcn.org.uk where we will consider it for addition to the site.
If you don't find what you want in the list then good starting points for further exploration are the RCN Library Catalogue for books or the BNI (British Nursing Index) database for journals.
Books/Reports
Blann A (2009) Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a guide for practitioners, Keswick: M & K Update Ltd. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library for RCN members.
British Committee for Standards in Haematology (2011) Guideline on the investigation, management and prevention of venous thrombosis in children (PDF 256KB), Manchester: BCSH.
Department of Health (2010) Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention programme, and revised risk assessment, London: DoH. Available online by opening this link and selecting "URL" in the new window.
Foundation of Nursing Studies (2006) Developing practice to improve thrombosis prevention, London: Foundation of Nursing Studies. Available online by opening this link and selecting "URL" in the new window.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2012) Venous thromboembolic disease: the management of venous thromboembolic diseases and the role of thrombophilia testing, Manchester: NICE.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2010) Venous thromboembolism: reducing the risk, London: NICE. Available online by opening this link and selecting "URL" in the new window.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (2002) Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (PDF 853KB) , Edinburgh: SIGN.
Welch E (2010) Venous thromboembolism: a nurse's guide to prevention and management, Chichester: Wiley. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library for RCN members.
Journal articles
Full text versions of the following articles are available to RCN members via the e-Library. Select the following link to login and gain direct access the full text version: RCN members.
Bennett-Day Sarah (2011) Universal risk assessments to guide use of thromboprophylaxis, British Journal of Midwifery, 19 (12), December, pp. 778-785.
Gee E and Bonner L (2012) Collaborative working to reduce VTE, Nursing Times, 108 (36), 4 March, pp. 24-26.
Inniss L (2011) Venous thromboembolism: reducing the risk, Emergency Nurse, 19 (5), September, pp. 20-23.
Linden B (2011) SIGN guideline on venous thromboembolism, British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 6 (7), July, pp.342-344.
Smith K Preventing venous thromboembolism, Nursing Management, 18 (3), June, pp.12-17.
Lyons R (2012) Treating venous thromboembolic events in the pediatric population, Nurse Practitioner 37 (3), March, pp.47-52.
Websites
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE): Venous thromboembolism - reducing the risk
NICE pathways: Venous Thromboembolism
Department of Health: VTE
Kings College Hospital: Thrombosis Exemplar Centre
Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity
SIGN: Prevention and management of venous thromboembolism
Neo-slip website: information about a student nurse's award winning invention of a slippery inner sock that makes it much easier for patients to put on their anti-embolism stockings, increasing compliance and thus effectiveness of this method of VTE prevention.
RCN website: Nursing practice issues - Principles of Nursing Practice