Abstract

Introduction: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a complication in surgical patients. Factors such as age, prolonged rest, and use of oral contraceptives, among others, have been described as increasing the risk of DVT. Within the prevention strategies, the individual risk level of the patient must be identified, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures administered. The objective of this study is to determine the risk level of surgical patients for DVT and to evaluate compliance with prevention measures. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study is carried out. A sample of 270 surgical patients in a high complexity hospital was evaluated, registering their risk factors, and evaluating compliance with preventive measures. Results: The population at greatest risk is concentrated in those over 55 years of age, male, obese, with major surgery, resting for more than 72 hours, with a history of DVT, hip, pelvic or leg fracture. 18.5% of the patients presented compliance with the prevention measures in all their risk classifications; Of the patients who presented non-compliance with measures, 60.9% complied only with the pharmacological measures for the prevention of DVT. Conclusions: The population studied has risk factors that have been described as risk for DVT. There is evidence of non-compliance with prevention measures for DVT, at the expense of non-pharmacological measures.