An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Strategies to Facilitate the Uptake of Evidence-Based Wound Management in Residential Aged Care

Finlayson, Kathleen

Thursday, 2 August 2012: 8:30 AM

Kathleen Finlayson, PhD, MNsg, BNsg
School of Nursing & Midwifery, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Helen Ethel Edwards, OAM, PhD, BA, (Hons), BA, DipApSc, RN
School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Anne M. Chang, RN, DipNEd, BEdSt (Hons), MEdSt, PhD
Nursing Research Centre (inc. Queensland Centre for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery), Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Mary Courtney, PhD
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Michelle Gibb, MNS (NP), BN
Wound Healing Community Outreach Service, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
Christina Parker, BN
School of Nursing & Midwifery, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to examine a range of strategies related to implementing evidence based wound care in aged care facilities

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify strategies which successfully increased the uptake of evidence based wound care in residential aged care facilities.

Background: The incidence of skin tears, pressure ulcers and chronic wounds increases with age and is a serious issue in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs). Although a large body of level I evidence exists for this area, there is a well known need for effective strategies to promote the implementation of evidence into practice. The Creating Champions for Skin Integrity (CSI) project introduced a range of evidence based strategies to facilitate the implementation of evidence based wound management.

Aim: This paper aims to report outcomes of an evaluation of the effectiveness of the CSI model of evidence based wound management on facilitating the uptake of evidence based wound care. The overall aim of the project was to implement sustainable evidence based wound management in RACFs and to enable staff to preserve skin integrity through application of evidence-based practice.

Methods: Interviews and focus groups (n=76) were undertaken pre and post a six month implementation stage of the CSI model to obtain information on the effectiveness of the model and individual strategies within the model. These data were supported by data on evidence based management of wounds collected via a clinical and chart audit of a random sample of residents (n=200 pre-implementation, n=201 post-implementation) and pre and post staff surveys (n=126 pre-implementation, n=143 post-implementation) recruited from seven RACFs.

Results: Analysis of data found increased levels of implementation of evidence based strategies to prevent and manage wounds in the post-implementation surveys in comparison to the pre-implementation surveys. Effective strategies included facilitating access to evidence based recommendations, development of clinical decision making tools, establishing networks for peer support and access to expertise, and multi-level teams of Champions.

This Project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Encouraging Better Practice in Aged Care program.

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