EXAMINING PATIENTS' USE OF GRADUATED COMPRESSION STOCKINGS IN POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the use of graduated compression stockings after surgery. Methods: Employing a descriptive research design, the study was conducted on a sample of 173 patients admitted to the surgical departments of a university hospital. Results: Among all the patients, 80.9% of them did not lift their feet up for a while when they were in bed before wearing stockings; 72.3% did not wear stockings before getting out of bed. The researchers observed that 50.9% of the patients placed the stockings properly on the heel and 79.2% of them had folds in the stockings they wore. Additionally, upon removing the stockings for observations, 59.5% of the patients exhibited redness in the corresponding area. The use of stockings was more accurate and the damage to the tissue was less in the patients who received information (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, patients who received information used stockings more accurately and that the damage of the stockings to the tissue was less. Consequently, it is recommended that comprehensive and effective patient education programs regarding the use of compression stockings be implemented to mitigate such issues and enhance patient outcomes.