Venous thromboembolism is a leading preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. In fact, as much as 70% of VTE among hospitalized patients is preventable, but fewer than half of patients receive appropriate preventive treatment.
The Challenges of VTE Prevention
When a patient is immobile for an extended time, such as after surgery or while on bedrest in the hospital, blood flow in the veins can slow down or become blocked. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the leg. If the blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it results in a pulmonary embolism (PE). Together, they are known as venous thromboembolism, or VTE.
Mechanical prophylaxis, such as intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices, are widely accepted as the standard of care for preventing VTE. However, nonadherence to optimal use of IPC is an ongoing problem, as these devices are often associated with a multitude of challenges including discomfort, poor design, low patient awareness of VTE risk and benefits of prophylaxis, and more.
Discomfort has been identified as a primary factor, making it difficult for patients to comply with the recommended therapeutic wear time of 18 to 22 hours per day. Studies have also found that patients reported trouble sleeping due to the noise generated by the IPC device, and the sleeves caused sweating, increasing discomfort.
A recent comparative study published in the American Journal of Nursing highlights the potential of a novel mechanical compression device (MCD) to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of VTE. The MCD utilized was the Movement and Compressions (MAC) System, by Recovery Force Health.
An Overview of The MAC System
The MAC System is the world’s first wearable therapeutic compression device that also measures and displays real-time patient mobility data. It provides intermittent active compressions to the calf muscles, increasing venous blood flow and reducing the risk of clot formation while delivering 3x over baseline femoral vein response to avoid venous stasis during recovery.
The device incorporates numerous features that support patient mobilization such as cordless/tubeless battery-operation and lower profile design. According to the study, it is the only known portable, non-tethered VTE prophylaxis mobility device currently available in the clinical setting.
An integrated display highlights individual patient mobility data including compliance (wear time), time in bed, time upright (dangling at the side of the bed, in the chair, etc.), and numbers of steps. Up to 48 hours of patient data is available to empower bedside caregivers with critical metrics to support the execution of in-hospital mobility and adherence to VTE prophylaxis.
Study Results
The comparative study evaluated The MAC System against a current IPC device in hospitalized surgical patients. Comparisons were made based on the following patient outcome measures: evaluation of wear time, adherence to optimal wear time, evaluation of patient comfort and device satisfaction, and perceived impact on mobility goals. Nurses’ satisfaction with the clinical usability for mobility was also measured.
Key findings include:
- Significantly longer wear time, with more patients wearing The MAC System for at least 18 hours per day
- Significantly better sleep
- Improved patient comfort, with fewer problems with sweaty legs
- Significantly greater patient satisfaction with achieving mobility goals
- Enhanced clinical usability for nurses, with accurate documentation of patient mobility levels
- Tripping hazards created by tubes and cords on current IPC devices and the negative impact on mobility were substantially improved with the use of The MAC System
Implications for Patient Care
The study suggests that The MAC System can:
- Improve patient outcomes by reducing the risk of VTE
- Enhance patient comfort and adherence to recommended therapy
- Promote mobility and reduce negative outcomes
- Reduce patient harm and associated costs for patients and organizations
A Mobility Force Multiplier
Hospital-acquired immobility is a primary risk factor for VTE. The study further noted that “patients were more satisfied with the mobility assistance provided by the MAC System than with the standard IPC device. Given the strong data supporting the importance of mobility in hospitalized patients, this is a clinically relevant finding.”
In Summary
By addressing the limitations of traditional IPC devices, The MAC System offers a promising solution for healthcare organizations seeking to improve patient mobility, reduce the risk of VTE, and increase patient/staff satisfaction. Based on the findings of the Quality Improvement project published in the American Journal of Nursing, the study authors recommend that healthcare organizations should consider investigating the use of the MAC System to reduce patient harm, improve mobility, and better engage patients in their own care and recovery.
For more information, see the complete study: Evaluation of a Novel Mechanical Compression Device, Davis, Carmen R. MSN, RN, CCRN, CNS-BC; Beeson, Terrie MSN, RN, CCRN, ACNS-BC; Porter, Haley M. MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, PCCN; Giuliano, Karen K. PhD, RN, FAAN, AJN, American Journal of Nursing 124(11):p 54-60, November 2024.