How do you fill a prescription for “booties”?
The doc writes “compression booties” on the script.
OH NO!
What do you do? Where do you turn?
Long Term Care facilities often struggle to fill a prescription for “booties”. Sometimes referred to as “scud boots”, (for Sequential Compression Device … SCD), this treatment modality is little known and often misunderstood, although it has been in use for many years. The bottom line: there are two, distinct types of pneumatic compression therapy:
1) Treatment of lymphedema. This is a slow cycle of inflation/deflation of the pneumatic garment, in a milking action designed to force the lymphatic fluid out of the tissues of the extremity, back into the circulatory system. It is available in simple, intermittent compression, where the entire pneumatic garment compresses the arm or leg; and sequential compression, where the pneumatic garment has a series of chambers that inflate and deflate sequentially. The choice of either is up to the prescriber.
2) Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis. This is applied only to the lower extremities. In the nursing home setting this is usually when a patient is non-ambulatory and potential DVT becomes a concern. In the hospital environment it is most often used before, during and after surgery. It is referred to as “athrombic compression”, i.e. to prevent a clot, or thrombosis, from occurring in the deep veins of the leg. It is a rapid, pulsatile cycle of inflation/deflation of the pneumatic garment, designed to support circulation of blood through the deep veins of the leg. It is available in a number of configurations: simple intermittent compression of the foot, calf, foot & calf, or entire leg — or sequential compression of the calf or full leg. Booties that compress the venous plexus found in the plantar arch of the foot have been proven to be the most effective in supporting circulation. Again, choice of this is up to the prescriber. This modality is also indicated to treat venous stasis ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, reduce post operative edema and pain and treat intermittent claudication.
But where do you turn to fill this sort of prescription? The facility can easily purchase a unit with appropriate pneumatic garments from any one of the fine manufacturers of these devices such as Kendall, Huntleigh, KCI or others. However, if the period of treatment is expected to be just a few weeks to several months, when the therapy is over and the patient no longer needs the device, the facility is left with a piece of equipment sitting unused on a shelf, tying up cash.
VASCULAR PRN offers an economical rental option. At your request they will routinely deliver by overnight express, so you don’t have to face an angry physician asking “Where’s the compression I ordered for this patient?” When the doc writes “booties”, calling Vascular PRN today has you putting compression on your patient tomorrow! The company has knowledgeable staff on hand who are pleased to answer any questions about compression therapy, at 800-886-4331. You can also see more information at www.vascularprn.com
