Redesigning the process of providing compression hosiery to patients attending hospital clinics.

Box I. UK and European standards The problems • After referral to the orthotic department for hosiery, patients usually experienced a long wait for an appointment and a further delay before receiving the order. Overall, about six weeks • Leg ulcer patients awaiting hosiery required compression bandaging during the interim period. This put a time demand on the nursing service .Ordering what are considered to be 'standard' items on an individual basis is expensive. Bulk purchase would provide a more cost-effective service • There was no policy on the standard of hosiery that should be used within the trust. As there are differences between European and UK standards, a An orthosis is an appliance that is attached externally to a limb to aid or correct function by altering its biomechanics.! Orthotics is the term used to describe the use of such an appliance. Orthotic services are delivered by an orthotist to patients through most acute and community trusts. The role of the orthotist is to consider and discuss with the patient the type of orthoses (surgical appliance) that will best meet his or her needs. Historically, certain items have been provided through the orthotic service that are not strictly considered orthotic appliances, such as compression hosiery. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust identified that their process of supplying hosiery through the orthotics department presented problems.