OBJECTIVES: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disorder. In Germany the current standard of thromboprophylaxis is subcutaneously administered low-molecular-weight heparin. Meanwhile, orally administered alternatives are available. Primary objective of the study was to investigate patient burden and preferences and time consumption in the use of thromboprophylaxis. METHODS: The open, prospective observational study, enrolling adult patients after elective total hip (THR) and knee (TKR) replacement, was carried out from October 2008 until March 2009. Time was recorded for individual steps in the administration process ranging from syringe preparation, syringe administration, tablet preparation to tablet administration. Furthermore patient-satisfaction, burden of daily subcutaneous administration and daily intake of tablets were recorded. Preference of patient for an oral or subcutaneous administration was inquired. RESULTS: The investigations were conducted in 6 general hospitals and 6 rehab centers. 178 patients answered the questionnaire (41.4% TKR, 58,6% THR). The patients were on average 68.38 years old (SD: 9.82; TKR: 69.69 years, SD: 7.31; THR: 67.22 years, SD:11.29 ), 73,6% (TKR: 81,9%, THR: 67.6%) regularly (longer than 6 months) take tabletts. Most of the patients (71.9%, TKR: 72.2 %; THR: 70.59%) would prefer a tablet. Total time required for syringe preparation and administration was 73.11 sec (SD: 34.06 sec) compared to 26.98 sec (SD: 19.41 sec) for tablet. Most time-consuming process was syringe administration (50.27 sec, SD: 31.22 sec), followed by syringe preparation (22.84 sec, SD: 13.61 sec), tablet administration (18.17 sec, SD: 18.52) and preparation of tablet (8.82, SD: 5.79). CONCLUSIONS: Occasionally, only little data were available for patient preferences and burden of subcutaneous administration compared to oral medication. The majority of patients would prefer the intake of a tablet. Also it was shown that in daily hospital routine a reduction of total time for thromboprophylaxis by using a tablet instead of a syringe is possible.