Importance of Hosiery Measurement & Selection.
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Transcript of Importance of Hosiery Measurement & Selection.
Importance of Hosiery Measurement & Selection
Practical Hosiery
• The use of compression hosiery is widespread, but there is wide variation in almost every aspect of selection and prescribing practice
• Also, there are hundreds of types
• There are different classes – different testing standards (RAL; British Standards)
• How can the nurse make good judgement about the type required by the individual patient with such an enormous choice?
Sue Johnson 2002
Testing Standards
• UK Class 1 - 14-17
• UK Class 2 - 18-24
• UK Class 3 - 25-35
• RAL Class 1 - 18-21
• RAL Class 2 - 23-32
• RAL Class 3 - 34-46
• RAL Class 4 - 49
Practical Hosiery• In some areas pharmacists or appliance officers are
responsible for selecting a suitable stocking for patients (education? ABPI?)
• Other areas it may be left to medical staff (education? ABPI?)
• Pharmacists report being given a prescription that states ‘hosiery’
• Anecdotally, there is a lack of knowledge about when and what is safe to prescribe relative to the underlying disorder
Practical Hosiery
• The discrepancy between testing standards can cause confusion
• All of this could lead to the patient being prescribed the wrong type for the individual need
Stephen-Haynes & Sykes,
Stephen-Haynes & Sykes,
My Experience of Hosiery
• In the Wound Healing Centre and throughout Eastbourne, CCG we have a selection of two makes of hosiery and two types (1 RAL and 1 British Standard)
• This enables us to educate all nurses in the area in measurements and correct class and test standard selection for individual patients
• It makes life simple for us all
My Experience of Hosiery
• We have great success in treating with hosiery
• This is due to accurate measuring; application; education of the patient and commitment of the clinicians
• We do not win them all, but we do win the majority
Ramifications of Assessment• One of the problems associated with
supplying compression hosiery is concordance from the patient
• If they have difficulty applying the hosiery then it will not be used
• This ensures that the patient will, at some point, return with another wound
• This needs to be addressed during assessment
Solutions
• Patient education
• Carer education
• Use of applicators
• Education of the nurses applying hosiery
• Limit choice of hosiery so that education is simpler
Conclusion
• Use of compression hosiery for venous disease is underrated
• It is cost effective for prevention and treatment
• Education is vital to enable appropriate selection of product
• Measurement is simple and important to the safety and healing of the patient