Improving rates of intermittent pneumatic compression therapy utilization

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are leading preventable causes of death in hospitalized patients.
• Despite established guidelines, thromboprophylaxis, including intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy, is underutilized in postoperative patients.
• Underuse of IPC therapy can lead to increased hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism and adverse patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the utilization of IPC devices among all staff on selected hospital pilot units.
• To establish and promote the sustained use of IPC devices for venous thromboembolism prevention.
• To address the observed inconsistencies in IPC therapy application in postsurgical patients.

Main Methods:

• Conducted point prevalence audits to assess current IPC device usage.
• Performed root-cause analyses to identify barriers to IPC therapy implementation.
• Utilized a nursing survey to gather staff perspectives on IPC use.
• Implemented a pilot project on selected surgical units to test interventional strategies.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant improvement in IPC device utilization was achieved on the pilot units.
• The implementation of a 3-tier interventional plan demonstrated positive results.
• The study successfully increased the consistent use of IPC therapy in postoperative patients.

Conclusions:

• Nurse education, patient education, and proactive problem-solving by nursing staff can significantly improve IPC device use.
• The pilot project provides a scalable model for enhancing thromboprophylaxis in surgical settings.
• Targeted interventions are effective in overcoming barriers to IPC therapy adherence and improving patient safety.