9 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 7
Add 1 point for each statement that applies now or within the
past month
o Age 41 to 60 years
o Swollen legs
o Varicose veins
o BMI >25
o Minor surgery (less than 45
minutes) planned
o Sepsis
o Serious lung disease
o Use of oral contraceptives or
hormone replacement ther-
apy
o Pregnancy or postpartum
o History of unexplained still-
born child, 3 or more recur-
rent spontaneous abortions, premature birth with toxemia or
growth-restricted infant
o Acute myocardial infarction
o Congestive heart failure
o Medical patients currently at bed rest
o History of inflammatory bowel disease
o History of major surgery
o Abnormal pulmonary function (COPD)
Add 2 points for each statement that applies
o Age 61 to 74 years
o Arthroscopic surgery
Caprini Score >> the higher the number, the greater the risk of VTE
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
• PRIME NUMBER The Caprini score offers guidance for
applying preventative measures on a case-by-case basis.
