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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

I read with great interest the article by Tapson et al,¹ titled "Antithrombotic Therapy Practices in US Hospitals in an Era of Practice Guidelines." This excellent review indicates that despite published recommendations by experts in cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery practice, there are still a significant number of patients who are not receiving antithrombotic therapy and as a result are at risk of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. The adoption and use of protocols guiding the use of antithrombotic agents in these patient populations should result in an increased use of these drugs with a corresponding decrease in morbidity and mortality.

To assist hospitals in evaluating the current practice surrounding the use of these drugs, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) distributed a self-assessment tool, "The ISMP Safety Self-Assessment for Antithrombotic Therapy in Hospitals," to acute care hospitals in the United States in April 2005.²

The tool’s 125 . . . [Full Text of this Article]

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Matthew P. Fricker, Jr, RPh, MS

RELATED ARTICLE

Antithrombotic Therapy Practices in US Hospitals in an Era of Practice Guidelines
Victor F. Tapson, Thomas M. Hyers, Albert L. Waldo, David J. Ballard, Richard C. Becker, Joseph A. Caprini, Roger Khetan, Ann K. Wittkowsky, Kevin J. Colgan, Alicia C. Shillington, and for the NABOR (National Anticoagulation Benchmark and Outcomes Report) Steering Committee
Arch Intern Med. 2005;165(13):1458-1464.
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