Thromboembolic deterrent (TED) stockings
OVERVIEW
- compression stockings aka TEDs
USE
- DVT prophylaxis in immobile patients
DESCRIPTION
- Below knee or thigh length
- washable
- closed or open toe design
- provide graduated compression (10–20 mmHg) to promote venous return
- Various sizes – sizing is based on calf circumference and limb length
METHOD OF USE
- Thumbs placed inside the tops and the stocking is gathered up
- stocking placed over the foot and adjusted at the toe area
- stocking is then pulled up while avoiding twisting and overstretching
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
- severe peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- peripheral neuropathy
- severe peripheral oedema
- soft tissue diseases including dermatitis, cellulitis or a recent skin graft
- major lower limb injuries
COMPLICATIONS
- Pressure areas and ulcers if poorly fitted
- inadequate function if incorrectly sized or too loose
- falls risk if the patient mobilises on a slippery surface
- DVT if inappropriately used alone in high risk patients
OTHER INFORMATION
- thigh length may be superior for DVT prophylaxis
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at the Alfred ICU in Melbourne. He is also a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University. He is a co-founder of the Australia and New Zealand Clinician Educator Network (ANZCEN) and is the Lead for the ANZCEN Clinician Educator Incubator programme. He is on the Board of Directors for the Intensive Care Foundation and is a First Part Examiner for the College of Intensive Care Medicine. He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives.
After finishing his medical degree at the University of Auckland, he continued post-graduate training in New Zealand as well as Australia’s Northern Territory, Perth and Melbourne. He has completed fellowship training in both intensive care medicine and emergency medicine, as well as post-graduate training in biochemistry, clinical toxicology, clinical epidemiology, and health professional education.
He is actively involved in in using translational simulation to improve patient care and the design of processes and systems at Alfred Health. He coordinates the Alfred ICU’s education and simulation programmes and runs the unit’s education website, INTENSIVE. He created the ‘Critically Ill Airway’ course and teaches on numerous courses around the world. He is one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) and is co-creator of litfl.com, the RAGE podcast, the Resuscitology course, and the SMACC conference.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Twitter, he is @precordialthump.
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