DVT prophylaxis

I have not seen SCD's used on the upper extremities. Does your hospital have a DVT risk assessment? We have one that's required on all new admissions. Ours has been revised a few times. Perhaps you could look for/at yours and see if it is being used correctly and meeting the needs of your patients and address what needs aren't being met. I've seen nurses chart that SCD's are "on," "removed and reapplied." ... only to find they're not even in the room.

I think it's hugely important to keep ahead of these things and also to educate the patient for the need to move when they leave the hospital, what symptoms to watch for and how important it is to seek immediate medical attention - "when in doubt - check it out." I think too many patients are sent home not realizing that the risk still exists after discharge.

Good luck with your assignment.

I have been told (never done it) that SCD's can be applied to any extremity. And I read the following in a previous Allnurses post....

The reason SCDs work is that they compress striated muscle which causes the muscles to produce nitrous oxide into the circulatory system. The nitrous oxide is a great vasodilator which helps prevent blood clots. This is why SCDs are also effective when used on the arms, even one arm or one leg.