1. Nursing Instruction
  2. Overview
  3. Cardiovascular Surgery
Purpose:
  1. To prevent deep vein thrombosis in bedridden patients and facilitate the return of venous blood in the lower extremities.
  2. To prevent postural hypotension.
  3. To prevent and treat varicose veins.
  4. To relieve fatigue, swelling and pain in lower extremities.
 
Indication:
  1. Bedridden patients.
  2. Lower extremities paralysis.
  3. Workers requiring long-term standing.
  4. Patients who receive major surgeries or suffer from serious fractures.
  5. Patients who receive varicose veins surgeries or have great saphenous vein removal in lower extremities.
  6. The elderly.
  7. The obese patient

Steps of putting on and taking off the elastic stocking:

  1. Wake up in the morning, put on your elastic stockings before getting out of bed. 

  2. Lie down and raise your legs above your heart for 15 minutes.

  3. Roll down the elastic stocking with your hands from the thigh to the toe and put it on your foot. 
  4. Put the elastic stocking up to the ankle and adjust the elastic stocking in place.
  5. Pull the bottom of your elastic stockings over your heel. 
  6. Slide the elastic stocking up your leg
  7. Make sure to keep the stocking smooth out any wrinkles .
  8. Make sure to keep the stocking straight and smooth.
  9. Remove the elastic stocking: from the thigh to the opposite direction. Hold the top of the elastic stockings and gently pull down from top to bottom after everting.
  10. After the stockings removed, elevate your legs with pillows above the heart to facilitate the return of venous blood.
 
Notice:
  1. Choose a correct size of elastic stocking according to the circumference of your leg.
  2. Please wear elastic stocking before ambulation. If you have ambulated without elastic stocking, you should elevate the legs with pillows at least 15 minutes.
  3. Pull the elastic stocking up 2 inch (5 cm) at a time until the predetermined height.
  4. The uneven pressure on the skin caused by the elastic stocking can affect the blood circulation, you need to make sure the elastic stocking is smooth all the time. Avoiding curling up on the top of the elastic stocking to avoid increasing pressure. (If the nails become purple it indicates that the elastic stocking is too tight.)
  5. Elevate the lower extremities with pillows at least 15 minutes after taking off the elastic stocking to prevent swelling from sudden release of pressure.
  6. The best time to wear the elastic stocking is before getting up in the morning. Please wear the elastic stocking when you are ambulating.
  7. You need to take off the elastic stocking for 10~15 minutes in every 8 hours period. Be aware of the return of venous blood and the skin condition.
  8. Do not touch the nail when putting on and taking off the elastic stocking. Remove your watch or rings to prevent damaging the stocking.
  9. If your lower limbs are red, pale or feeling of numbness or tingling, please stop wearing the elastic stocking.
  10.  Maintenance of the elastic stocking:
    1. Use mild soap or detergent and hand wash the elastic stocking in the cold or warm water. Please do not twist the elastic stocking. You can use a towel to absorb moisture and hang your elastic stocking to dry in air.
    2. Please do not put your elastic stocking in the washing machine or dehydrator. Do not use bleach or dryer or put your elastic stockings under the scorching sun.
    3. You can store your elastic stocking in a box to avoid direct sunlight or lighting.
    4. If necessary, choose elastic stocking with exposed toes so as to observe blood circulation.
Reference:
  1. Argyriou, C., Papasideris, C., Antoniou, G. A., Georgakarakos, E., Papanas, N., Lazarides, M. K., & Georgiadis, G. S. (2017). The effectiveness of various interventions versus standard stripping in patients with varicose veins in terms of quality of life. Phlebology: The Journal of Venous Disease, 33(7), 439-450. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268355517720307.
  2. Dahm, K. T., Myrhaug, H. T., Strømme, H., Fure, B., & Brurberg, K. G. (2019). Effects of preventive use of compression stockings for elderly with chronic venous insufficiency and swollen legs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatrics, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-019-1087-1
  3. Sachdeva, A., Dalton, M., & Lees, T. (2018). Graduated compression stockings for prevention of deep vein thrombosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD001484. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001484.pub4.
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    Taipei Veterans General Hospital 
    No.201, Sec. 2, Shipai Rd., Beitou District,  3e72dadb9904d06fa0fb3744e4ed2612.png
    Taipei, Taiwan 11217, R.O.C.
    Tel: +886-2-2871-2121 #04
    • Smoking and chewing betel nut significantly induce oral cancer. Obesity will potentially increase the risk of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Please control body weight and keep away from tobacco and betel nut.
    • Information provided above can’t overcome physician's treatment and replace physician patient relationship.
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