From the Research
Bedridden patients should wear compression stockings continuously during their entire period of immobility, with the duration of use dependent on the individual's mobility status, as evidenced by a study published in 2018 1. The use of compression stockings is a well-established method for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in immobile patients.
- The appropriate compression level is typically 15-20 mmHg for most patients, though higher compression (20-30 mmHg) may be needed for those with significant edema or venous insufficiency.
- Stockings should be removed daily for 30 minutes to inspect the skin for pressure injuries, particularly at bony prominences, and to perform hygiene care.
- Compression stockings work by applying graduated pressure to the legs, with highest pressure at the ankles decreasing up the leg, which improves venous return, reduces edema, and significantly decreases the risk of DVT in immobile patients by preventing blood pooling in the lower extremities.
- A study published in 2021 2 highlights the importance of preventing DVT in bedridden patients, as it can have severe consequences, including increased morbidity and mortality.
- Another study published in 2018 1 provides high-quality evidence that graduated compression stockings are effective in reducing the risk of DVT in hospitalized patients who have undergone general and orthopaedic surgery.
- The duration of compression stocking use should be individualized based on the patient's mobility status, with hospitalized patients typically wearing them 24 hours a day until they are regularly ambulatory, and long-term bedridden patients wearing them indefinitely as long as immobility persists, with new stockings provided every 3-6 months as they lose elasticity with repeated washing.