Read the full research online: http://heart.bmj.com/content/99/23/1734

In 2010, the Department of Health in England introduced an incentivised national target for National Health Service (NHS) hospitals aiming to increase the number of patients assessed for the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with hospital admission.

Will Lester, from the Quality and Outcomes Research Unit at the University Hospital Birmingham, and colleagues assessed the impact of this initiative on VTE mortality and subsequent readmission with non-fatal VTE.

He joins Alistair Lindsey to talk about the study.