Implementation of the graduated compression as an adjunct to pharmaco-thromboprophylaxis in surgery trial results across the UK

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine uptake and dissemination of a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA)–funded trial – Graduated compression as an Adjunct to Pharmaco-thromboprophylaxis in Surgery (GAPS) (project number: 14/140/61) amongst health professionals in the UK. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the trial on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention policies 7 months after publication. Method: A 12-question online survey emailed to 2750 individuals via several vascular societies, 34 VTE Exemplar Centre leads and 1 charity over a 3-month period. Results: In total, 250 responses were received; a 9.1% response rate. Over half of all respondents (52.4%) had read the GAPS trial results prior to completing the survey. Precisely, 77.1% said their hospital had not yet made changes or did not intend to make changes to local hospital VTE policy based on the GAPS trial. Conclusions: Findings must be interpreted in the context of the low response rate. Further in-depth interviews would aid understanding of barriers to implementing change.