Accurate selection of compression and antiembolic hosiery.

The use of compression and antiembolic hosiery is widespread in hospital and community settings, but there is wide variation in almost every aspect of selection and prescribing practice. In some localities pharmacists or appliance officers are responsible for selecting a suitable stocking for patients, whereas in others it may be left to medical staff. Anecdotally, there is a lack of knowledge about when and what is safe to prescribe relative to the underlying disorder. This is compounded by discrepancy between the level of compression provided by stockings made according to the European method, and that prescribable under the UK Drug Tariff in primary care. This can result in clinically serious variation in what the patient is given and what his/her condition needs. A particular problem arises when the patient's care is continued following discharge from hospital. In this case not only may an inferior quality product be supplied (meeting the Drug Tariff specifications), but also the compression 'strength' can be unintentionally lower than expected or prescribed. A simple method of prescribing according to condition and pressure has been developed and is outlined here.