Awareness of the risks of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on a long haul flight has become as much a part of overseas travel as jetlag or dehydration.

But outside of the healthcare arena, few people are aware that the risk of developing a DVT while in hospital is 135 times higher than in a non-hospitalised person.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes the commonly-known DVT and pulmonary embolism.

The Alfred Hospital is one of 40 hospitals across Australia taking part in the VTE prevention project that aims to save lives by encouraging hospitals to take a more systematic approach to assessing and managing at-risk patients.

Run over the course of a year, the program was initiated by the National Institute of Clinical Studies following a pilot program in 2005.

Haemostasis-Thrombosis Unit Head Associate Professor Alison Street said VTE was a major and largely preventable cause of complications and hospital deaths around the world.

'Evidence has shown that, in the past, preventative treatment hasn't been given for all patients considered to be at risk,' Associate Professor Street said.

'This is because there has been no formal and universal process for risk assessment of patients upon admission until now.'

A steering group of medical, nursing and pharmacy staff has been set up to develop and implement a VTE prevention policy.

This will require staff to assess all inpatients for their VTE risk and prescribe preventative treatment if they are deemed to be at high risk of developing a clot.

Treatment often includes nursing staff fitting graduated compression stockings.

Clinical pharmacists will be able to confirm that the risk assessment has been completed and medication prescribed.

Implementation of the risk assessment form and practice audit is being introduced in selected medical and surgical wards at the Alfred and Sandringham hospitals.

Results of these activities will be reviewed with subsequent 'roll-out' to other areas.