The purpose of the study was to demonstrate that breast cancer related lymphoedema can be managed by means of Complete Decompression Therapy and consequently improve quality of life. An instrumental case study design was used. The target population was all women with breast cancer related lymphoedema living in Tshwane, the context of the study. The patient with the most severe breast cancer related lymphoedema treated by the researcher is presented. Mixed methods were used to gather data. The expected 60% limb volume reduction could not be achieved after 4 weeks of induction therapy. After 8.5 weeks of treatment, the limb volume reduced from the initial 3841 mL to 1639 mL, a 57.2% reduction. Patient compliance to compression therapy was a challenge and led to relapse extending the induction phase of treatment. Despite the prolonged treatment, the limb volume reduction improved the patient’s quality of life. The study demonstrated and confirmed that despite a degree of noncompliance, breast cancer related lymphoedema can be managed with Complete Decongestive Therapy which, in turn, improves the quality of life of women living with breast cancer.

No / International consensus on compression therapy has been reached. Kathryn Vowden and Professor Peter Vowden discuss the guidance.

This thesis describes the successful development and initial evaluation of a proof-of-concept wireless monitoring system for improving the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic compression therapy to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In the development, an important objective was to make feasible the practical and commercial deployment of such improved therapy systems in future, by focusing on a cost-effective design and implementation. Over the years, pneumatic compression has been shown to be an effective solution for the prevention of DVT. However, different problems and complications related to the use of commercial pneumatic compression de-vices that typically include automatic pressure controllers and pneumatic compression sleeves have been reported. For example, one study reported a high percentage of improperly applied or nonfunctional pneumatic compression devices in routine usage. Technical problems, non-compliance, and human error were identified as the causes behind the failed therapies. Also, it was reported that dedicated in-service instruction did not improve the proper use of the pneumatic compression controllers and sleeves. In another study, significant unanticipated variations between expected and delivered pneumatic compression therapy were reported: expected therapy delivered only an average of 77.8% of the time during the therapy, and much of the time key values related to the outcome of the therapy were found to have variations great than 10%. Specific hazards have also been reported. For example, one patient developed acute compartment syndrome after wearing a pair of pneumatic compression sleeves with faulty pressure release valves. In another case, epidural analgesia masked a malfunction resulting from a reversed connection between four-way plastic tubing of the sleeves and the controller, exposing a patient to a hazardous pressure of around 300mmHg,blocking all blood flow for a prolonged period of time. Newer models of pneumatic compression sleeves and controllers from various manufacturers claim to improve therapy by, for example, increasing the peak blood flow velocity. However, there is no evidence in the published literature to support such claims. A published review of the literature from1970-2002 reached the conclusion that the most important factors in im-proving therapy with pneumatic compression devices, particularly during and after surgery, were the degree of conformance of delivered therapy to the prescribed therapy, patient compliance, and the appropriateness of the site of compression. The inability to monitor delivered therapy and patient compliance remains a problem in efforts to improve pneumatic compression therapy. The above-described problems were addressed in the successful development of the innovative prototype described in this thesis. This wireless monitoring system should improve the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic compression therapy. Also, innovative aspects of the system design allow for cost-effective integration into existing commercial controllers and sleeves. For example, an innovative and potentially patentable usage and reprocess indicator was developed for pneumatic compression sleeves to significantly improve their safety and to reduce their cost of use per patient.

This thesis describes the successful development and initial evaluation of a proof-of-concept wireless monitoring system for improving the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic compression therapy to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In the development, an important objective was to make feasible the practical and commercial deployment of such improved therapy systems in future, by focusing on a cost-effective design and implementation. Over the years, pneumatic compression has been shown to be an effective solution for the prevention of DVT. However, different problems and complications related to the use of commercial pneumatic compression de-vices that typically include automatic pressure controllers and pneumatic compression sleeves have been reported. For example, one study reported a high percentage of improperly applied or nonfunctional pneumatic compression devices in routine usage. Technical problems, non-compliance, and human error were identified as the causes behind the failed therapies. Also, it was reported that dedicated in-service instruction did not improve the proper use of the pneumatic compression controllers and sleeves. In another study, significant unanticipated variations between expected and delivered pneumatic compression therapy were reported: expected therapy delivered only an average of 77.8% of the time during the therapy, and much of the time key values related to the outcome of the therapy were found to have variations great than 10%. Specific hazards have also been reported. For example, one patient developed acute compartment syndrome after wearing a pair of pneumatic compression sleeves with faulty pressure release valves. In another case, epidural analgesia masked a malfunction resulting from a reversed connection between four-way plastic tubing of the sleeves and the controller, exposing a patient to a hazardous pressure of around 300mmHg,blocking all blood flow for a prolonged period of time. Newer models of pneumatic compression sleeves and controllers from various manufacturers claim to improve therapy by, for example, increasing the peak blood flow velocity. However, there is no evidence in the published literature to support such claims. A published review of the literature from1970-2002 reached the conclusion that the most important factors in im-proving therapy with pneumatic compression devices, particularly during and after surgery, were the degree of conformance of delivered therapy to the prescribed therapy, patient compliance, and the appropriateness of the site of compression. The inability to monitor delivered therapy and patient compliance remains a problem in efforts to improve pneumatic compression therapy. The above-described problems were addressed in the successful development of the innovative prototype described in this thesis. This wireless monitoring system should improve the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic compression therapy. Also, innovative aspects of the system design allow for cost-effective integration into existing commercial controllers and sleeves. For example, an innovative and potentially patentable usage and reprocess indicator was developed for pneumatic compression sleeves to significantly improve their safety and to reduce their cost of use per patient.

This thesis describes the successful development and initial evaluation of a proof-of-concept wireless monitoring system for improving the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic compression therapy to help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In the development, an important objective was to make feasible the practical and commercial deployment of such improved therapy systems in future, by focusing on a cost-effective design and implementation. Over the years, pneumatic compression has been shown to be an effective solution for the prevention of DVT. However, different problems and complications related to the use of commercial pneumatic compression de-vices that typically include automatic pressure controllers and pneumatic compression sleeves have been reported. For example, one study reported a high percentage of improperly applied or nonfunctional pneumatic compression devices in routine usage. Technical problems, non-compliance, and human error were identified as the causes behind the failed therapies. Also, it was reported that dedicated in-service instruction did not improve the proper use of the pneumatic compression controllers and sleeves. In another study, significant unanticipated variations between expected and delivered pneumatic compression therapy were reported: expected therapy delivered only an average of 77.8% of the time during the therapy, and much of the time key values related to the outcome of the therapy were found to have variations great than 10%. Specific hazards have also been reported. For example, one patient developed acute compartment syndrome after wearing a pair of pneumatic compression sleeves with faulty pressure release valves. In another case, epidural analgesia masked a malfunction resulting from a reversed connection between four-way plastic tubing of the sleeves and the controller, exposing a patient to a hazardous pressure of around 300mmHg,blocking all blood flow for a prolonged period of time. Newer models of pneumatic compression sleeves and controllers from various manufacturers claim to improve therapy by, for example, increasing the peak blood flow velocity. However, there is no evidence in the published literature to support such claims. A published review of the literature from1970-2002 reached the conclusion that the most important factors in im-proving therapy with pneumatic compression devices, particularly during and after surgery, were the degree of conformance of delivered therapy to the prescribed therapy, patient compliance, and the appropriateness of the site of compression. The inability to monitor delivered therapy and patient compliance remains a problem in efforts to improve pneumatic compression therapy. The above-described problems were addressed in the successful development of the innovative prototype described in this thesis. This wireless monitoring system should improve the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic compression therapy. Also, innovative aspects of the system design allow for cost-effective integration into existing commercial controllers and sleeves. For example, an innovative and potentially patentable usage and reprocess indicator was developed for pneumatic compression sleeves to significantly improve their safety and to reduce their cost of use per patient. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Yes / BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the commonest cause of leg ulceration, affecting 1 in 100 adults. There is a significant health burden associated with VLUs - it is estimated that the cost of treatment for 1 ulcer is up to pound1300 per year in the NHS. The mainstay of treatment is with graduated compression bandaging; however, treatment is often prolonged and up to one quarter of venous leg ulcers do not heal despite standard care. Two previous trials have suggested that low-dose aspirin, as an adjunct to standard care, may hasten healing, but these trials were small and of poor quality. Aspirin is an inexpensive, widely used medication but its safety and efficacy in the treatment of VLUs remains to be established. METHODS/DESIGN: AVURT is a phase II randomised double blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled efficacy trial. The primary objective is to examine whether aspirin, in addition to standard care, is effective in patients with chronic VLUs (i.e. over 6 weeks in duration or a history of VLU). Secondary objectives include feasibility and safety of aspirin in this population. A target of 100 participants, identified from community leg ulcer clinics and hospital clinics, will be randomised to receive either 300 mg of aspirin once daily or placebo. All participants will receive standard care with compression therapy. The primary outcome will be time to healing of the reference ulcer. Follow-up will occur for a maximum of 27 weeks. The primary analysis will use a Cox proportional hazards model to compare time to healing using the principles of intention-to-treat. Secondary outcomes will include ulcer size, pain evaluation, compliance and adverse events. DISCUSSION: The AVURT trial will investigate the efficacy and safety of aspirin as a treatment for VLU and will inform on the feasibility of proceeding to a larger phase III study. This study will address the paucity of information currently available regarding aspirin therapy to treat VLU. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered on a public database with clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT02333123 ; registered on 5 November 2014).

No

Kompressionsbehandling är den basala behandlingen vid venös insufficiens och venösa bensår. Att leva med venösa bensår påverkar patienters välbefinnande och det dagliga livet. Sjuksköterskan har en viktig roll i omvårdnad vid venös insufficiens och venösa bensår att på olika sätt främja sårläkning genom samarbete med patienten. Enligt studier är patienters följsamhet till kompressionsbehandling bristfällig, vilket kan leda till uppkomst eller recidiv av bensår och förlängd läkningstid. Syftet med studien var att belysa faktorer av betydelse för följsamhet vid kompressionsbehandling hos patienter med venös insufficiens. Studien genomfördes som en allmän litteraturstudie med induktiv ansats. Resultatet utgjordes av fyra kvantitativa, fem kvalitativa och två vetenskapliga artiklar med mixad metod. I litteraturstudiens resultat framkom två huvudteman: inre faktorer och yttre faktorer med sammanlagt nio subteman. Resultatet visade att motivation, psykisk ohälsa, kunskap och förståelse, obehag, självbild, självständighet, utbildning, ekonomi och vårdrelation är faktorer med betydelse för följsamhet till kompressionsbehandling. Vidare behövs ytterligare forskning kring patienters erfarenheter för att få en ökad förståelse över patientens situation, som senare kan utformas till exempel riktlinjer eller PM, där det bland annat kan framgå vilka omvårdnadsåtgärder sjuksköterskan kan vidta för att förebygga samt hantera patienters ovilja till behandling. / Compression therapy is the basic treatment for venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers. Living with venous leg ulcers has an impact on patients’ well-being and daily life. The nurse has an important role in promoting wound healing through collaboration with the patient. According to studies patients’ adherence to compression therapy is insufficient, which can lead to origin and recurrence of leg ulcers and extended healing time. The purpose of the study was to illustrate significant factors for adherence to compression therapy in patients with venous insufficiency. The study was conducted as a general literature study based on an inductive approach. The result is based on five qualitative studies, four quantitative studies and two studies with a mixed method approach. Two main themes emerged in the result of the literature study: Internal factors and external factors with a total of ten sub themes. The result of the literature study reveals that motivation, mental illness, knowledge and understanding, discomfort, self – image, independence, education, finances and trusting relationship between nurse and patient are key factors in adherence to compression therapy. Further research on the patients’ experiences is needed to gain better understanding, which can develop into guidelines, where it can be stated which nursing actions to prevent and manage the patients that are unwilling to be treated.

No / High compression therapy, whether with bandage systems or hosiery, is the accepted treatment of lower limb venous ulceration. Compression has not only been shown to improve healing, it has been demonstrated to reduce oedema and improve tissue oxygen levels (Stacey et al, 1990), reversing some of the changes associated with chronic venous insufficiency (Vandongen and Stacey, 2000). The introduction of multilayer high compression bandage systems in the late 1980s, and subsequent improvements in bandage textiles and design, have undoubtedly improved outcomes for many patients. However, compression alone does not address the underlying pathology of venous ulceration, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and without treatment CVI continues to cause skin damage and increases the risk of recurrent ulceration. In 1999, Nelzen emphasised that compression treatment has been used since the days of Hippocrates and yet has not solved the problem of leg ulceration (Nelzen, 1999).

Sammanfattning Titel:                                  Distriktsköterskors erfarenheter av delegering för kompressionslindning i hemsjukvården Fakultet:                             Hälsa, natur- och teknikvetenskap Kurs:                                  OMA 312. Examensarbete i omvårdnad 15hp Författare:                           Malin Ahnstedt och Lina Nilsson Handledare:                        Anna Nordin Examinerande lärare:          Maria Harder Examinator:                        Birgitta Bisholt Sidor:                                  31 Datum för examination:     oktober 2018 Svenska nyckelord:             Hemsjukvård, distriktssköterska, delegering, säker vård, kompressionslindning   Bakgrund: Hemsjukvården idag innebär alltmer avancerade hälso- och sjukvårdsinsatser vilket ställer höga krav på distriktssköterskans kunskap och ledarskap. Distriktssköterskan överlämnar olika medicinska uppgifter till omvårdnadspersonalen och utgår då från olika författningar och riktlinjer. Det handlar även om att distriktssköterskan har en central ledarroll och ska arbeta för en säker vård. I Sverige ses en ökning av kroniska bensår vilket påverkar både det dagliga livet och livskvaliteten hos de drabbade. En viktig del i behandlingen av bensår är kompressionslindning. Distriktssköterskan i hemsjukvården delegerar kompressionslindning till omvårdnadspersonalen. Syfte: Beskriva distriktssköterskors erfarenheter av delegering för kompressionslindning i hemsjukvården. Metod: Kvalitativ intervjustudie med induktiv ansats genomfördes och analyserades utifrån kvalitativ innehållsanalys. 12 distriktssköterskor som arbetade i kommunal hemsjukvård intervjuades från sex olika kommuner. Resultat: Det framkom två generiska kategorier, Distriktssköterskors tillvägagångssätt vid delegering och Distriktssköterskors erfarenhet av vilka konsekvenser delegering kan leda till. Dessa beskrivs med tre subkategorier vardera. Konklusion: Studien visade att distriktssköterskorna utförde delegering av kompressionslindning till omvårdnadspersonalen på olika sätt, personlig eller generell delegering. Vid generell delegering innebär det att verksamheterna inte följer lagar, författningar och riktlinjer fullt ut och att patientens säkerhet kan påverkas negativt. Deras erfarenhet var att kunskap samt arbeta evidensbaserat ligger till grund för att delegera säkert. Patientens säkerhet och livskvalitet påverkades av omvårdnadspersonalens kunskap och intresse för att utföra den delegerade uppgiften. / Abstract Title:                                   District nurses experience of delegation for compression therapy in home healthcare Faculty:                               Health, Science and Technology Course:                               OMA 312 Degree project - nursing,15 ECTS Authors:                              Malin Ahnstedt och Lina Nilsson Supervisor:                          Anna Nordin Examiner:                           Maria Harder Examiner:                           Birgitta Bisholt Pages:                                 31 Date for the examination:   October 2018 Key words:                         Home Health Care, District Nurse, Delegation, Safe care, Compression Therapy   Background: Home healthcare today means increasingly advanced healthcare efforts which place high demands on district nurses' knowledge and leadership. The district nurse handles various medical information to nursing staff based on different regulations and guidelines. The district nurse's also have a central leadership role and will work for a safe care. In Sweden, an increase in chronic leg ulcer is seen which affects both the daily life and the quality of life for the victims. An important part of the treatment of leg ulcers is compression therapy. The district nurse's delegates compression therapy to nursing staff in home care. Purpose: Describe district nurses experience of delegating compression therapy in the home health care. Method: Qualitative interview study with inductive approach that was conducted and analyzed based on qualitative content analysis. 12 district nurses from six different municipalities working in municipal home healthcare were interviewed. Result: Results are presented within two generic categories which were, District nurse's approach to delegation and District nurse's experiences the consequences delegation can lead to. These are described with six subcategories each. Conclusion: The study showed that district nurses performed delegation of compression wound care to nursing staff in different ways, personal or general delegation. In general delegation, the activities do not fully comply with laws, regulations and guidelines and the patient's safety can be adversely affected. Their experience is that knowledge, as well as evidence-based work, is the basis for a safe delegation. The patient's safety and quality of life are influenced by the nursing staff's knowledge and interest in performing the delegated task.