An audit of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) in the prophylaxis of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

This paper reports a prospective audit, against an existing baseline standard, for intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) in the prophylaxis of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This was done via a structured questionnaire, using the methodology of total population sampling, encapsulating all theatre staff within one NHS trust. With regards to the standard, performance is good, as IPC is DVT prophylaxis of choice in the perioperative area and is used frequently on most patients. The findings of the audit do, however, highlight the need for appropriate local DVT risk assessment guidelines, essential to ensure that prophylaxis is administered to the correct at risk groups, as prevention may be unjustified in low risk groups and possibly inappropriate for the same regimen to be used for all patients.