Compression Stockings for the Prevention of Venous Leg Ulcer Recurrence

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Final Recommendation

Health Quality Ontario, under the guidance of the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, recommends publicly funding medical-grade compression stockings for the prevention of venous leg ulcer recurrence in people with a healed venous leg ulcer

People with poor circulation in the veins of their legs sometimes develop a type of ulcer called a venous leg ulcer. This condition is difficult to treat, and even after successful healing, the ulcer may return.

Compression stockings, which provide support for the veins in the leg and help prevent blood from pooling, may be used to prevent ulcers from coming back.

This health technology assessment looked at the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of compression stockings to prevent venous leg ulcer recurrence. It also looked at the budget impact of publicly funding compression stockings and patients’ experiences with using the stockings.

Read the full Health Technology Assessment report for more details.

Compression Stockings for the Prevention of Venous Leg Ulcer Recurrence: A Health Technology Assessment
February 2019

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The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing this recommendation.

The Ministry of Health has provided the following response: The Ministry has a standardized process in place to review Health Quality Ontario recommendations. This takes into consideration Ministry priorities, implementation options, the need for consultation with impacted stakeholders, and funding considerations.

Health Technology Assessment at Health Quality Ontario

As part of our core function to promote health care supported by the best available evidence, we use established scientific methods to analyze the evidence for a wide range of health interventions, including diagnostic tests, medical devices, interventional and surgical procedures, health care programs and models of care. These analyses are informed by input from a range of individuals, including patients and clinical experts. The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee (OHTAC) — a committee of the Health Quality Ontario board of directors — reviews the evidence and makes recommendations about whether health care interventions should be publicly funded or not. Draft recommendations are posted on the Health Quality Ontario website for feedback. Final recommendations are approved by our board of directors and then shared with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. For more detailed information, visit our Evidence to Improve Care pages.

Evidence to Improve Care