The use of knee-length versus thigh-length compression stockings and sequential compression devices.

Background: Nurses on an Acute Care Evidence Based Practice Committee, creating a policy to increase patient compliance with thromboembolic deterrent stockings (TEDS) and sequential compression devices (SCDs) for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, found limited literature on patient preference and response to this treatment.

Study Aim: The study purpose was to determine whether knee-length or thigh-length TEDS and/or SCDs were more comfortable, correctly applied, and worn by patients, and to assess patient reasons for noncompliance.

Method: A patient survey and observational data tool was designed.