Wearing graduated compression stockings: the reality of everyday deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis

Objective: Current hospital policy states that all patients should use graduated compression stockings (GCS) for prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Methods: A total of 218 patients on 16 mixed-speciality surgical wards were surveyed on a single 'snapshot' day, for compliance with this policy. Results: Of these patients, 119 (54%) were not wearing GCS. Of the 99 (46%) patients who were wearing GCS, 85 wore below-knee products and 14 wore above-knee products. Incorrect use was far more common with above-knee GCS. Conclusions: Non-compliance appreciably alters the risk of a patient suffering a DVT and leaves hospitals open potentially to litigation. Regular reminders of set hospital policy (and occasional reviews of policy) should help aid compliance. There is a 'natural selection' for below-knee GCS products. (C) 2004 Royal Society of Medicine Press.