before surgery and
instruct your patient
to use the stockings
until they are fully
mobile after dis-
charge. Be sure the
stockings fit proper-
ly. You can keep the
stockings on during
surgery and fit an
IPC device over the
stocking to increase
the degree of pro-
tection.
Compression stockings — also known as anti-embolism hose —
work by applying pressure to the ankle and lower leg in order to
reduce the risk of swelling and prevent blood pooling, or venous sta-
sis. While compression stockings are popular in post-op prevention,
they're less effective than IPC devices and may be a challenge to
some patients due to leg size.
Follow-up after discharge
Should you find a patient gets a clot after their discharge, recheck his
Caprini score and ensure he received the proper type and duration of
prophylaxis. If he had a score of 5-8 and did not get prophylaxis for 1
week, or if he had a score of 9 or above and did not get extended pro-
phylaxis, that could explain the clot, even after a minor surgical proce-
dure.
Send your patients home with specific verbal and written instruc-
J A n U A R Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 6 9
• STOP THE CLOT Sequential compression devices prevent the pooling of blood by
alternating pressure on the legs and increasing blood flow.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
