1. Improve adherence to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidelines on investigations for suspected VTE in pregnancy (RCOG 2015), 2. Improve doctor’s awareness and understanding of radiation risks 3. Improve patient access to information on VTE in pregnancy.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the UK’s leading cause of maternal mortality. According to the most recent MBRRACE report, VTE is the third leading causing of maternal death during pregnancy and perinatal period (1). The absolute risk is around 1 in 1000 pregnancies, and the threat increases by 20-fold in the first 6 weeks following birth (2). In addition to the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy which increases the risk of VTE considerably(3), other risk factors include; hyperemesis gravidarium, ovarian hyperstimulation, IVF and...

All pregnant women admitted to our District-general-hospital with suspected VTE, over a 4 month period, were retrospectively audited. A questionnaire was distributed to the junior doctors, to gauge familiarity with the RCOG diagnostic pathway. The utilisation of diagnostic imaging; Chest Radiographs, Doppler Ultrasound, CT Pulmonary Angiograms and Ventilation-Perfusion scans, was reviewed. In addition to this, the patient notes were analysed to see whether the risks of these scans were explained to the patient and whether consent was documented. Initial results of the questionnaire The questionnaire...

We identified the lack of understanding and adherence to guidance regarding the VTE diagnostic pathway in pregnant women. Having recognised the need for comprehensive interventions to improve management of life-threatening thromboembolic events, we provided both, an education poster for junior doctors and a supplemental patient leaflet that could be utilised by our colleagues. Re-assessment following intervention, revealed that junior doctors were more confident in explaining radiation risks and were more accurate in choosing the correct imaging modalities. These steps are vital for improving compliance to...

1. Knight M, Bunch K, Tuffnell D, Shakespeare J, Kotnis R, Kenyon S, Kurinczuk JJ (Eds.) on behalf of MBRRACE-UK. Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care - Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2016-18. Oxford: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford 2020. 2. Royal College of Obsetricians & Gynaecologists, 2015. Thomboembolic Disease in Pregnancy and the Puerperium: Acute Management Green-top Guideline No.37b. [Online]Available at: https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg-37b.pdf 3. Grüning T, Mingo RE, Gosling MG, Farrell...

K. V. Harries: Nothing to disclose H. T. V. Sivashankar: Nothing to disclose S. Syed: Nothing to disclose I. Syed: Nothing to disclose N. Balaji: Nothing to disclose