Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) complicates approximately 1–2 per 1,000 pregnancies and, despite its relative rarity, remains the leading cause of direct maternal mortality in the developed world. In the UK and Ireland, the incidence of maternal VTE-related mortality was reported as 0.92 per 100,000 pregnancies between 2017 and 2019. While VTE occurs more frequently in the postpartum period, VTE-related deaths can occur across all trimesters, underscoring the importance of consistent risk assessment and appropriate thromboprophylaxis in maternity care. This audit aimed to assess compliance with antenatal and postnatal VTE risk assessment documentation in line with national guidance, as well as the accuracy of prophylactic tinzaparin dosing. A retrospective chart review was conducted between February and April 2024, reviewing 35 maternity patient records. Antenatal VTE risk assessment compliance was 80%; however, postnatal compliance was significantly lower at 28%. In addition, prophylactic tinzaparin dosing was frequently prescribed inaccurately. Following these findings, a multidisciplinary team meeting was convened. Separate antenatal and postnatal VTE risk assessment tools were developed and incorporated into maternity charts, Additionally, weight-based tinzaparin dosing guidance was added to the standard maternity drug kardex and presented to the whole department for training and recognition. A re-audit was conducted between August and October 2025, with 34 randomly selected patient charts reviewed. Antenatal and postnatal VTE risk assessment compliance improved to 80% and 83.3%, respectively. Compliance with correct prophylactic tinzaparin dosing also improved significantly to 91.1% (n = 31/34). Notably, among eight private patients, only one underwent both antenatal and postnatal VTE risk assessment, suggesting a potential contributor to reduced overall compliance. This quality improvement initiative demonstrates that targeted, system-level interventions can significantly improve adherence to VTE prevention standards within maternity services.

Warda Maqsood is a Senior House Officer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St. Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland. She completed three and a half years of obstetrics and gynaecology training at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, and is currently in her second year of postgraduate training in Ireland under a scholarship programme. She has three abstracts published in the RCOG Conference Special Journal Release and has presented approximately ten posters, including case reports, audits, and quality improvement projects.