Pressure Injuries Related to the Use of Compression Stockings in Pediatric Surgical Patients

Mechanical compression devices such as compression stockings assist in the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism for nonambulatory postoperative patients. Risk factors in pediatric surgical patients increase their likelihood of developing a venous thromboembolism. This article describes an adolescent patient who developed pressure injuries from prolonged compression stocking use. Although other pressure injury prevention techniques were completed by nursing, the lack of knowledge regarding the risk of pressure injuries from compression stockings resulted in a poor outcome. As a result of this event, practice changes were implemented on the pediatric surgical unit to prevent reoccurrence. The practice changes included removal of compression stockings once per shift to assess extremities, daily replacement of new stockings, and utilization of sequential compression devices as the preferred mechanical compression method. Further research is needed for compression stocking use in the pediatric and adolescent population to provide best practice implications for nursing.