Sequential Compression Device Compliance for Venous Thromboembolism in High-Risk Trauma: A Quality Improvement Study.

Background: Hospital-acquired, perioperative venous thromboembolism is a recognized patient safety indicator in the adult trauma patient population. Mechanical prophylaxis has been identified as a standard intervention to reduce the incidence of venous thromboembolism when prescribed along with anticoagulation or if anticoagulation is contraindicated in the surgical population. Adherence to consistent mechanical prophylaxis remains a nursing issue impacted by numerous factors in patient care.

Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve the compliance of sequential compression device utilization to decrease the hospital-acquired, perioperative venous thromboembolism rate in the adult hospitalized trauma patient population.

Methods: A pre- and postintervention quality improvement approach utilized a nurse-led strategy to engage multidisciplinary team members to increase the consistency of sequential compression device utilization on patients within trauma units. The patient safety indicator rate per 1,000 for hospital-acquired, perioperative venous thromboembolism was monitored for improvement.

Results: The patient safety indicator rate per 1,000 for hospital-acquired, perioperative venous thromboembolism demonstrated a decline from 10.60 to 4.95 rate per 1,000 over 12 months. In the trauma units, sequential compression device compliance increased from an initial direct observation audit of only 12% to an average of 65% compliance rate during the last 16-week audits.

Conclusion: We found that a multidisciplinary, nurse-driven approach in the trauma units was effective in improving the compliance of sequential compression device utilization and impacted the hospital acquired, perioperative venous thromboembolism rate in the adult trauma patient population.