October 13, 2025Every year on 13 October, health professionals and communities across the world unite for World Thrombosis Day, a global initiative founded by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) to raise awareness of one of the world’s most serious yet often silent conditions, blood clots.
Thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, is responsible for one in four deaths. Each year, around 10 million people experience hospital-associated clots, with 60 per cent of venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) occurring during or soon after hospitalisation. These events remain a leading cause of preventable in-hospital death, but with the right systems, awareness and clinical practices, they can be prevented.
At Northern Health, the Pharmacy and Medical teams have been working to improve patient safety and outcomes in VTE prevention and anticoagulation management.
“We’re incredibly proud of the progress Northern Health has made in thrombosis prevention and anticoagulation safety,” said Simon Huynh, Senior Pharmacist – Anticoagulation Stewardship, Pharmacy. “It’s been a journey built on collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to protecting our patients.”
Key highlights from Northern Health’s Anticoagulation Service include:
• Establishment of a VTE & Anticoagulation Committee providing clinical governance and leadership.
• Implementation of an Anticoagulation Stewardship Program to optimise prescribing and safety.
• Introduction of the VTE Risk Assessment Monitor, improving assessment completion from 30% (Oct 2023) to 76% (Sept 2025).
• Launch of a multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) and updated clinical guidelines.
• Becoming the first Victorian hospital to perform large-bore mechanical thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism (May 2024).
• Establishment of Victoria’s first Virtual Thrombosis Clinic.
• Recognition as Australia’s first Anticoagulation Centre of Excellence.
“Preventing venous thromboembolism is an important part of patient safety. Everyone in the hospital plays a role through early review, timely intervention, and listening to our patients,” Simon says.
“Each achievement reflects the teamwork and dedication of our multidisciplinary teams. Every improvement helps us deliver safer, faster, and more effective care for our patients.”
This World Thrombosis Day, Northern Health celebrates the dedication of its staff and reaffirms its commitment to reducing preventable harm from blood clots across every stage of care.
You can test your own knowledge and join the awareness effort by taking the THANZ World Thrombosis Day quiz.
