title: A better fit: industry collaboration with nurse-clinicians in the development and redesign of a pneumatic compression device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices offer a safe and effective means of thromboprophylaxis but are often uncomfortable, leading to poor compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two multicenter, prospective trials compared traditional IPC sleeves with newly designed IPC sleeves. The primary outcome measure was overall patient acceptance. Secondary measures involved nurses' impressions, patients' experiences, and device safety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Trial 1 (n = 110), 87% of patients preferred the new knee-length sleeve compared with the traditional knee-length sleeve. Thigh-length sleeve enrollment was discontinued early (n = 38), because nurses reported that the new sleeve did not remain in place. Following redesign of the thigh-length sleeve, Trial 2 (n = 110) was executed and 82% of patients preferred this sleeve compared with the traditional thigh-length sleeve. Patients' experiences and clinicians' impressions were better with the new sleeves. No device-related adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collaboration with nurses yielded a more comfortable IPC sleeve with properties that should improve compliance and optimize patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Health Care Product Evaluation Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Quatrara
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D055815:Young Adult