SCD's and TED hose

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I work at a VA hospital and it is common practice for our MD's to order sequential compression devices and TED hose to be used simultaneously. From the research I have done, there is no additive effect. What does your hospital do, use both at the same time or one-or-the-other?

I worked a med surgical unit 7 y/o--we used both.

I changed hospitals--my unit the patients were short stay so no SCD's (couldn't tell you hospital policY)

Current hospital either/or not both--SCD/Ted

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I worked a med surgical unit 7 y/o--we used both.

I changed hospitals--my unit the patients were short stay so no SCD's (couldn't tell you hospital policY)

Current hospital either/or not both--SCD/Ted

(and not TEDS)...perhaps this "image" will help you when you tell your patients about it: to me, it was like have someone massaging my legs all the time. I wanted to take them home with me. :rolleyes: . As for the noise, well, they had run out of med/surg beds so put me on the maternity ward...needless to say, it was not the loudest noise I heard!!!

NurseFirst

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.

That is what I told some of my pts on ortho about the SCD's NurseFirst! lol Some of them agreed it was like a massage and others said like a BP cuff around their legs! I have seen SCD's & TEDS used alot together where I went to school on the ortho floor. Some complained their legs were hot and felt itchy when having both on. The pts didn't usually complain alot about the TEDS, probably the SCD's more. On numerous times, I would find the SCD's on the bed or floor not attached to the pt., sometimes it was a case of not being reattached or the pt refusing to have them put back on. Guess it depends on the pt! :twocents: :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We always, always, always use both. I never really questioned it, but I have actually seen the research that says it's not necessary to. Another sacred cow? Who knows. A lot of surgeons really like them, even, I would say, order them to excess. I guess there's no real harm barring pre-existing clots, but it sure is obnoxious to the pt...

By the way, have y'all seen the research that one SCD is as good as two? Interesting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

We used to use both teds and scds until the last 6-8 months. Now we use just scd's. This is CTICU.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
We always, always, always use both. I never really questioned it, but I have actually seen the research that says it's not necessary to. Another sacred cow? Who knows. A lot of surgeons really like them, even, I would say, order them to excess. I guess there's no real harm barring pre-existing clots, but it sure is obnoxious to the pt...

By the way, have y'all seen the research that one SCD is as good as two? Interesting.

No I have not seen anything about this. Would you know where I could see that research? I would be very interested.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have heard of a new product that may dramatically improve compliance with SCD's. It runs on a battery and goes around just the feet. Research has also shown that SCD's on the feet are just as effective as calf or thigh high SCD's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Oooooh, we have one surgeon that orders the thigh-high TEDS, the thigh-high SCD leggings AND the booties.

I feel REEEEEEEALLY sorry for his pts. when they had to pee. I used to put a bedpan in their bathrooms, just in case they felt they weren't going to make it before i got them unhooked.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I have heard of a new product that may dramatically improve compliance with SCD's. It runs on a battery and goes around just the feet. Research has also shown that SCD's on the feet are just as effective as calf or thigh high SCD's.

I know what you're talking about, but i can't think right off-hand who makes it. The pt. supposedly can walk around with the devices on, but where the tubing comes out at, not to mention there was a big length of the tubing, it wasn't realistic for them to walk in it. Too much of a risk for tripping and falling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What you are referring to are called Kendall Foot Pumps. They are blue and wrap around the foot held in place with velcro. They are not made to walk around in, and should be removed before getting the patient up. I have used them in the OR quite a few times on leg cases. Nice thing about them is that you can turn on just one side, also they work well when the patient is quite large and the SCDs won't go around the leg properly.

Hope that this helps......... :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

There's now a leg-sleeve device that comes with a battery pack that you can walk around in.

The same company said the same thing about their footie version, but that's just as dangerous as their leg-sleeved one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oooooh, we have one surgeon that orders the thigh-high TEDS, the thigh-high SCD leggings AND the booties.

I feel REEEEEEEALLY sorry for his pts. when they had to pee. I used to put a bedpan in their bathrooms, just in case they felt they weren't going to make it before i got them unhooked.

My SCDs were from my ankles to my hips. It was the SCDs on the thighs that I found particularly nice. I have to admit that it did immobilize me...but I wasn't going anywhere: pca, pulse ox, 0-2, foley (thank god!) and abdominal surgery (so, sleeping bowels!). When they wanted me to get up and walk they just unhooked the hoses.

NurseFirst

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment