What are the recommendations for use of graduated compression stockings in hospitalized patients?

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For medical patients:

DVT prophylaxis for medical patients. In: DynaMed Plus. References two practice guidelines that address use of stockings in hospitalized medical patients.

American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) suggests usage of the stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression if risk factors for VTE and high risk for bleeding are present. Chest. 2012; 141 (2 Supp). Section 2.7 reviews evidence for use of compression stockings or other mechanical devices in hospitalized medical patients.

American College of Physicians (ACP) does not recommend use of graduated compression stockings for thromboprophylaxis. Ann Intern Med 2011 Nov 1;1559):625-632.
The section “Comparative Effectiveness of Mechanical Devices versus No Mechanical Devices” (p. 627) summarizes evidence and references studies.

There are additional recommendations for compression stockings in medical patients in DynaMed Plus:See prevention section of entry for Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Documents from the Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database reviewed evidence and provided recommendations for use of compression stockings in hospitalized patients but did not specifically discuss frequency of changing stockings or other aspects of their use other than using knee-length stockings in surgical patients who are for some reason unable to tolerate the thigh-length stockings.  See these documents for summaries and references to the evidence.

To retrieve the following documents use the Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database. Copy and paste the document title in the search box.

  • Search for “Deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis” to find latest evidence summaries.
  • Search for “Graduated compression stockings clinician information” to find latest evidence summaries.

For surgical patients:

See guidelines section in entry forDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis for surgical patients. In: DynaMed Plus. To view summary of specific evidence, view section for a surgical specialty (e.g., general and abdominal surgery, neurosurgery, etc.)

To retrieve the following documents use the Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database. Copy and paste the document title in the search box.

  • Search for “Hip fracture management older people” to find the latest recommended practices.
  • Search for “Graduated compression stockings for the prevention of post-operative venous thromboembolism” to view a 2008 technical report.

Reviewed and updated 4/8/2014 ldt

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