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Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
Translating evidence to practice for mechanical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis
Brenda G Larkin1, Kimberly M Mitchell, Kathryn Petrie
1Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Elkhorn, WI, USA.
AORN Journal
|October 31, 2012
Summary
This study identified best practices for mechanical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in perioperative care. Key findings include optimal timing and unilateral prophylaxis for specific orthopedic procedures.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Medical Devices
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Variations in mechanical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis use were observed among perioperative nurses.
- A need was identified to improve prophylaxis care consistency and ensure evidence-based practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic literature review to determine best practices for mechanical VTE prevention in the perioperative period.
- To standardize and improve the consistency of VTE prophylaxis care.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was performed by a work group of perioperative nurses.
- The review focused on identifying optimal practices for mechanical VTE prevention.
Main Results:
- Optimal timing for initiating mechanical prophylaxis before surgery was identified.
- Unilateral mechanical prophylaxis is recommended for certain orthopedic procedures.
- No consensus or evidence supports combining sequential compression devices and graduated compression stockings for VTE prevention.
- No evidence supports alternative configurations for specialty procedural tables to prevent VTE.
Conclusions:
- Dissemination of identified best practices to the hospital and nursing community was achieved.
- Evidence-based practices for mechanical VTE prophylaxis were established.
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