This study had three objectives: (1) to investigate healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitude, and practice toward clinically applying graduated compression stockings, (2) to analyze the influencing factors, and (3) to provide data to support departments that develop health policies. A self-administered web-based survey was completed by 1,444 healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses from 15tertiary hospitals and four secondary hospitals from 10 provinces in China. Reliability analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to evaluate the researcher-designed questionnaire’s reliability and validity. The formal questionnaire, which included demographic data (eight items), knowledge (ten items), attitudes (four items), and clinical practice patterns (six items), was distributed among healthcare professionals. The relationships and mechanisms among the variables were explored using descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis. Of the 1,444 respondents, 31.2% had good knowledge of clinically applying graduated compression stockings, 83.5% had a positive attitude toward clinically applying them, and 30.4% of respondents exhibited normative behavior when applying them. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that training was an important factor influencing the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward clinically applying graduated compression stockings. The healthcare professionals’ attitude toward clinically applying graduated compression stockings was positive, but the related knowledge was poor, and the code of behavior was deficient. Medical institutions should improve training for clinically applying graduated compression stockings among healthcare professionals and standardize the use of graduated compression stockings to facilitate the prevention of hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism.

DECT showed relatively high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of gout. Synthetically considering these DECT abnormalities could improve the diagnostic sensitivity. More rigorous and standardized studies are still needed to support these findings.

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular-associated death worldwide, and VTE prevention is one of the top patient safety strategies that hospitals can adopt. This study aimed to understand patients’ perceptions of VTE prevention related to major orthopedic surgery in order to guide the clinical practice of medical staff and improve patient quality of life. Patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery should receive interventions to prevent VTE. To encourage patient participation, these interventions should be patient-centered. However, few studies have examined the perceptions of VTE prevention among patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery.MethodsParticipants were purposively selected from among patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in the orthopedic department of a level-three, class-A hospital in Beijing, China. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, and findings were based on a thematic content analysis. All interviews were held during each patient’s hospital stay.ResultsFrom eight patients who participated, the following themes were identified: (1) unclear understanding of VTE, (2) poor understanding of the severity of postoperative VTE, and (3) poor understanding of VTE prevention.ConclusionsThere are weak links in clinical care related to VTE prevention. We should aim to more completely understand patients’ needs, strengthen the health education provided to patients, and improve patient adherence to preventative measures.

Background: Total joint arthroplasty is a mature and effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis. Assisting patients in completing the transition of the perioperative period and improving their satisfaction are important aspects of quality of care. This study aimed to investigate an intervention to improve the quality of care transition for joint arthroplasty patients informed by the knowledge-to-action (KTA) framework. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, a total of 160 patients who underwent joint arthroplasty at a tertiary hospital from September to November 2018 and January to March 2019 were selected as participants using convenience sampling. The control group received routine medical care, while the observation group received medical care based on the KTA framework. Transitional care quality was assessed by the Care Transition Measure (CTM), with follow-up 1 week after discharge. Results: The observation group fared significantly better than the control group on general self-care preparation and written plan dimensions, as well as the quality of care transition. There was no significant difference in doctorpatient communication or health monitoring. Conclusions: The KTA framework provides a logical, valuable tool for clinical work. Using the KTA framework for joint arthroplasty patients helps to improve the quality of care transition, which is worth promoting.

Background The accurate identification of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis implementation barriers is an important part of prophylaxis prevention. However, in China, data to help identify these barriers is limited. This study has two objectives: 1) to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of healthcare professionals regarding graduated compression stockings (GCS) since the launch of the National Program for the Prevention and Management of Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) in October 2018 and 2) to identify the obstacles and assist the program. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 5070 healthcare professionals in China. We used exploratory factor and reliability analyses to evaluate the researcher-designed questionnaire’s reliability and validity. The formal questionnaire, which included demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice patterns, was distributed to healthcare professionals. Results Of the 5070 respondents, 32.5% had a good knowledge of GCS, 78.5% had a positive attitude towards their use, and 34.0% exhibited normative behavior when applying them. The KAPs of healthcare professionals towards GCS were significantly correlated with one another. Binary logistic regression suggested that the training received by healthcare professionals was an important factor affecting their knowledge regarding GCS usage. Conclusions The training provided for the use of GCS in China cannot meet medical staff needs and deserves more attention from policy makers. This represents an obstacle for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, which restricts the effective implementation of the National Program for Prevention and Management of PE and DVT.