4.2 Strengths and limitations
The main strength of this study was that it is the first nation-wide hospital-based survey to evaluate the VTE status in China that accounted for potential healthcare quality-related factors within hospitals, including their structure, process, and preventive and treatment strategies for VTE. Additionally, this survey covered alternative hospital-related factors that can be improved upon for the elimination of VTE risk. Thus, the findings are practical and indicate potential for clinical implementation. In addition, a T-test and ANOVA were used in the analysis of the association between VTE in pregnancy and hospital-related factors.