title: Compression therapy: scientific background and practical applications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Compression bandaging is the most prevalent form of treatment for venous leg ulcers. Successful treatment requires knowledge of the appropriate materials and the ability to employ them following current guidelines. This study investigates German health-care providers for their knowledge of bandage materials and their practical ability in applying short-stretch compression bandages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the framework of nationwide practical education on compression therapy, the participants' knowledge was quantified by asking standardized questions. Furthermore, their practical ability was evaluated by having them apply compression bandages within a pressure range of 50-60 mmHg. Another criterion was the pressure drop after a four-time dorsiflexion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 891 providers (3.3 % physicians, 5.5 % medical assistants, 90.7 % nursing staff) participated. Within the practical test only few (just under 10%) applied the bandages with the intended pressure; 77.0 % applied them below and 13.7 % above the target pressure. After a four-time dorsiflexion there was an average pressure drop of 6.7 mmHg. Surveying the participant's skills revealed that only 11.9 % knew about padding beneath compression bandages, 15.0 % knew of multi-component systems, and 14.8 % were familiar with ulcer stocking systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clearly, compression material and its application are unfamiliar to most practice employees. Without question there are deficits in the provision of compression therapy.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen, CWC - Comprehensive Wound Center, Hamburg.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Protz
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heyer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dörler
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stücker
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hampel-Kalthoff
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Augustin
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires