Hospital clinicians' perspectives of using compression therapy on venous leg ulcers: a systematic qualitative review

Abstract

Venous leg ulcer treatment is frequently discontinued in hospitals in contravention of national guidance, significantly affecting patient outcomes and increasing NHS costs. Aim: To identify, from the published literature, reasons for variable implementation. Method: Systematic review with narrative synthesis, including full papers in English with empirical qualitative data. Synonyms for venous leg ulcer, compression therapy and secondary care were searched across a range of health-related databases. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist determined study quality, and meta-ethnography was used for data synthesis. Results: 7040 titles and abstracts and 41 full-text papers were screened with four papers selected. Three key themes were generated: educational needs surrounding implementation of compression therapy, patient factors regarding adherence and organisational resources including availability of appropriate equipment and trained staff. Conclusion: Barriers at the ward level were identified. There is a need to better understand why hospitals are not addressing them.