Association between Surgical Care Improvement Program venous thromboembolism measures and postoperative events

BACKGROUND: In 2006, the Surgical Care Improvement Program (SCIP) implemented measures to reduce venous thromboembolism (VTE). There are little data on whether these measures reduce VTE rates. This study proposed to examine associations between SCIP-VTE adherence and VTE rates. METHODS: SCIP-VTE adherence for 30,531 surgeries from 2006 to 2009 was linked with VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical characteristics associated with VTE were summarized. VTE rates were compared by SCIP-VTE adherence. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model VTE by adherence, adjusting for multiple associated factors. RESULTS: Of 30,531 surgeries, 89.9% adhered to SCIP-VTE; 1.4% experienced VTE. Logistic regression identified obesity, smoking, functional status, weight loss, emergent status, age older than 64 years, and surgical time as associated with VTE. SCIP-VTE was not associated with VTE (1.4% vs 1.33%; P = .3), even after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified several important risk factors for VTE but found no association with SCIP-VTE adherence. Published by Elsevier Inc.