Ruqayyah Snyder
Anti-embolic stockings are specialised hosiery elastic garments worn around the leg to help prevent venous disorder and improve blood circulation. They are often used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with limited mobility, such as those who are bedridden after surgery, illness, or injury. In Australia, anti-embolic stockings are commonly used in hospitals, with 90% of surgical patients at Austin Health wearing them. When applying anti-embolic stockings, it is important to ensure the legs are dry and free of skin issues, and that the stockings fit correctly and are not too tight or too loose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Help prevent venous disorder such as thrombosis |
| Who should wear them | Patients at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or those with vascular or circulatory problems |
| When to wear them | When lying down, day and night during a hospital stay, until a normal or improved level of mobility is reached |
| How often to remove them | Once a day for hygiene purposes and to check for skin discolouration or damage |
| How long to wear them for | Up to six weeks, depending on the reason for wearing them |
| How tight they should be | Snug, but not too tight or too loose |
| How to apply them | 1. Expose one leg. 2. Turn the stocking inside out, down to the heel, and slip the foot of the stocking over the toes, foot, and heel. 3. Pull the top of the stocking up the leg. 4. Smooth out any excess material, pull the toe section forward to smooth the ankle and instep area. 5. Repeat the procedure on the other leg. |
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What You'll Learn
- Anti-embolic stockings are used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- They are worn by patients who are inactive or bedridden for long periods
- They should be removed daily for washing and to check for skin discolouration
- A nurse will measure your legs to ensure a correct fit
- They should be worn day and night, until mobility improves
Anti-embolic stockings are used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Anti-embolic stockings are a type of specialised hosiery elastic garment worn around the leg. They are also known as graduated compression stockings, which means they apply the most pressure at the ankle and the least at the knee or thigh. This pressure gradient helps to increase venous blood flow velocity and prevent blood from pooling in the calf veins, reducing the risk of blood clots.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg or pelvic area. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including reduced mobility, older age, obesity, active cancer, major surgery, major injuries, a history of DVT, or a recent illness. DVT can be life-threatening if the blood clot travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Anti-embolic stockings are an effective way to prevent DVT, especially in hospitalised patients who have undergone surgery or are immobile due to a medical illness. They can reduce the risk of DVT by over 60% when used alone and up to 85% when used in combination with other methods of thromboprophylaxis. The stockings should be worn day and night and must be removed daily for washing and checking for any skin discolouration or damage.
When applying anti-embolic stockings, it is important to ensure a correct fit. A nurse will measure your legs to determine the right size, and the stockings should feel snug but not too tight or too loose. To put them on, insert your hand into the stocking up to the heel, then pull the stocking up and fit it around your heel and calf. Smooth out any excess material and pull the toe section forward to ensure toe comfort. Check that the hole in the foot of the stocking is on the ball of your foot, and ensure your toes are not sticking out.
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They are worn by patients who are inactive or bedridden for long periods
Anti-embolic stockings are worn by patients who are inactive or bedridden for long periods to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from forming in their leg veins. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins, usually in the legs, causing leg pain or swelling. Anti-embolic stockings are specialised hosiery elastic garments worn around the leg to help prevent venous disorder and improve blood circulation.
These stockings are typically worn by patients who are recovering from major surgery, have recently had hip or knee surgery, or have heart and circulatory problems. They are also worn by those who are inactive or bedridden for extended periods due to illness or injury. It is important to note that anti-embolic stockings should only be used by patients when lying down.
Before applying anti-embolic stockings, it is crucial to ensure that the patient's legs are dry and free from any skin problems such as ulcers, sores, dermatitis, or significant edema. The stockings should feel snug but not too tight or too loose. They should be removed daily for hygiene purposes and to check for any skin discolouration, redness, soreness, bruising, or damage.
- Lock the wheels on the bed and raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
- Lower the side railings on the working side of the bed.
- Expose one of the patient's legs and ensure it is in a supine position.
- Hold the anti-embolic stocking with both hands and turn it inside out down to the heel.
- Slip the foot of the stocking over the patient's toes, foot, and heel.
- Pull the top of the stocking up the leg, ensuring that the opening is either over or under the toes.
- Smooth out any excess material and pull the toe section forward to smooth the ankle and instep area, allowing toe comfort.
- Check for proper heel placement and ensure the hole in the foot of the stocking is on the ball of the foot.
- Repeat the procedure on the other leg.
- Assess the patient's feet and toes for colour, temperature, mobility, sensation, swelling, and pain or discomfort.
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They should be removed daily for washing and to check for skin discolouration
Anti-embolic stockings must be removed daily for washing and to check for skin discolouration or damage. They should be removed once a day for hygiene purposes. This is also an opportunity to check for any skin problems caused by the stockings, such as redness, soreness, or bruising. If any skin issues are identified, the stockings must be replaced immediately.
It is important to wash your legs or have a bath or shower when removing the stockings. Before putting them back on, ensure your legs are dry, as this will make it easier. When applying anti-embolic stockings, you should first expose one of your legs. Turn the stocking inside out down to the heel and slip the foot of the stocking over your toes, foot, and heel. Pull the top of the stocking up your leg, checking that the opening is either over or under your toes. Smooth out any excess material and pull the toe section forward to smooth the ankle and instep area.
You may need a slip sock to help apply the stockings. If you do not have one, you can use a plastic bag or silk scarf over your foot to help the stocking slip over your foot more easily. Check that the stocking doesn't have any twists or wrinkles before repeating the procedure on the other leg. It is important to ensure the stockings are not too tight, as this may constrict your circulation and cause skin sores. They should feel snug but not too tight or too loose.
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A nurse will measure your legs to ensure a correct fit
Anti-embolic stockings are specialised hosiery elastic garments worn around the leg to help prevent venous disorder and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). They are commonly used by patients who have recently undergone surgery, are inactive or bedridden for extended periods of time, or have fractures or injuries to the legs.
During the fitting process, the nurse will also assess your legs for any skin problems, pressure sores, redness, soreness, or bruising that may be caused by the stockings. It is important to ensure that the stockings do not fit too tightly, as this can restrict circulation and cause skin sores to develop. The nurse will also check that the stockings are comfortable for you and do not cause any pain or discomfort.
If you are unable to obtain a correct fit with the available stockings, the nurse may need to explore alternative options or seek advice from a medical professional. It is important to ensure that the anti-embolic stockings fit properly to provide the intended benefits and prevent any potential complications.
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They should be worn day and night, until mobility improves
Anti-embolic stockings are specialised hosiery elastic garments worn around the leg. They are designed to help prevent venous disorder such as thrombosis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by exerting graduated compression, with the greatest pressure at the ankle and reducing gradually along the leg. They are usually worn below the knee but can also be thigh-high or waist-length.
Anti-embolic stockings should be worn day and night until mobility improves. They are typically worn by patients who are less active than normal, are at risk of DVT, or are undergoing surgery. They are also worn after surgery, illness, or injury when the patient is bedridden or immobile for long periods.
The stockings must be removed once a day for hygiene and to check for any skin discolouration, redness, soreness, bruising, or other signs of skin damage. They should feel snug but not too tight or too loose. If they are too tight, they may cause blood flow problems or cut off circulation. If they do not fit, inform a nurse or doctor immediately.
To apply anti-embolic stockings, insert your hand into the stocking until it reaches the heel. Pull the stocking up and fit it around your heel and calf. Smooth out any excess material and pull the toe section forward to smooth the ankle and instep area, allowing toe comfort. Check for proper heel placement and ensure the hole in the foot of the stocking is on the ball of the foot. If needed, a slip sock, plastic bag, or silk scarf can be applied over the foot to aid in pulling the stocking up.
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Frequently asked questions
Anti-embolic stockings are specialised hosiery elastic garments worn around the leg to help prevent venous disorder such as thrombosis. They are designed to compress the limb and exert pressure on the veins of the lower legs, promoting blood return to the heart instead of pooling in the legs.
Anti-embolic stockings are worn by patients who are at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This includes patients recovering from major surgery, those with heart and circulatory problems, or those who are inactive or bedridden for extended periods of time.
Anti-embolic stockings come in different sizes and lengths, so it is important to consult a medical professional to determine the correct size and length for your needs. They should feel snug but not too tight or too loose.
Here is a general step-by-step guide on how to apply anti-embolic stockings:
- Make sure the legs are dry before applying the stockings.
- Expose one of the patient's legs.
- Hold the stocking with both hands and turn it inside out down to the heel, then slip the foot of the stocking over the patient's toes, foot, and heel.
- Pull the top of the stocking up the leg and smooth out any excess material.
- Check that the opening is either over or under the toes and that the heel is in the correct position.
- Repeat the procedure on the other leg.
