Patient compliance and satisfaction with mechanical devices for preventing deep venous thrombosis after joint replacement.
A consecutive series of patients having total joint arthroplasty at a single university hospital were sequentially treated with two mechanical devices for prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The first 104 patients (group 1) wore thigh-high sequential compression device (SCD). The next 120 patients (group 2) wore a foot pump. Daily documentation of hourly compliance with each respective device was recorded until discharge. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was also obtained. Patient understanding about the devices' function aided compliance (73% compliance in group 1, and 77% in group 2). The satisfaction questionnaire revealed significantly greater satisfaction in group 2 (73%) versus group 1 (55%). Of a subgroup of 35 patients who had used both devices, 24 preferred the foot pump, 7 the SCD, and 4 had no preference. This study showed a higher degree of compliance and satisfaction for foot pumps as prophylaxis against DVT.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
K A
KA
Robertson
A J
AJ
Bertot
M W
MW
Wolfe
R L
RL
Barrack
D000328:Adult; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*