Calf Measurements

[MsRehabRN]

Looking for some experiences nurses have had with calf measurements.

I work on a rehab floor, mostly hips and knees. On nights we have 8 patients each. We are required to measure all of their calves each morning before they get out of bed and record the numbers in the computer and on their paper chart. It is so time consuming. We are running around all morning bathing, toileting, meds, breakfast, (we have primary nursing with no aides).

I guess I have NEVER seen these measurements ever used to diagnosis a blood clot?

I am looking for stories from experienced nurses where these measurements have prevented negative outcomes? If I can wrap my brain around a scenario of what "might" occur, I believe I will feel differently as I spend so much time completing them.

Thanks in advance.

[cpnegrad07]

Looking for some experiences nurses have had with calf measurements.

I work on a rehab floor, mostly hips and knees. On nights we have 8 patients each. We are required to measure all of their calves each morning before they get out of bed and record the numbers in the computer and on their paper chart. It is so time consuming. We are running around all morning bathing, toileting, meds, breakfast, (we have primary nursing with no aides).

I guess I have NEVER seen these measurements ever used to diagnosis a blood clot?

I am looking for stories from experienced nurses where these measurements have prevented negative outcomes? If I can wrap my brain around a scenario of what "might" occur, I believe I will feel differently as I spend so much time completing them.

Thanks in advance.

Glad i don't have to do that along with all the other stuff.

We send them for a venous doppler: end of story.

I do measure their calves to get the right size TEDs, and i have never seen anyone else do that.

[mom2cka]

A lit review on our unit was just finished and the recommendation given to start this, though I have not read it. I believe there is research (not sure if it's a best practice) that shows that calf measurement leads to early diagnosis of DVTs for those patients at high risk; we're going to start doing this soon on our unit. The extra time the nurse or PCA takes to do this is far outweighed by the early detection and treatment...