![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Learning Objective 1: identify the advantages of having a web based resource for education of staff.
Learning Objective 2: identify the advantages of having a web based formulary for wound care supplies.
Problem: Wound assessment and care is a highly specialized area of medicine; specialized training is needed to provide the tools to assess, treat, and document complicated wounds. Yet, the specialist is not available 24 hours a day. In this Medical center with a 618+ bed capacity and a level I Trauma center, teaching all medical students, nurses and physicians on best practices for prevention, identification and treatment of wounds was an immense job for the Skin Wound Assessment-Treatment team (SWA-T).
Intervention: A wound care website and electronic tracking was created and made available to all hospital associated staff through the intranet. This site includes assessment and photo identification on different skin tones, a hospital product formulary, templates for documentation, and patient education materials. Resources are available for those who seek more information about state and federal guidelines, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, and the current hospital policy on pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.
Comparison:
- Electronic tracking of pressure ulcers present on admission (POA) as identified by nurses, had identified five pressure ulcers a week.
- Product formulary was unknown and nurses would contact the SWA-T team to acquire products.
Outcome:
- Pressure ulcers in hospital identified by nurses: 30-40/ day. Of these, we now have information on chronic stage III or IV pressure ulcers which is between 28-39% of pressure ulcers, that are POA
- With 1200 hits in first month, nurses know how to acquire and use products on the formulary, freeing the SWA-T team to consult on wounds
See more of: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions: Oral Paper & Posters