Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether clinicians have adopted the evidence based recommendations from a BPIS related to wound care.

Design: The study was conducted using a survey technique.

Sample and setting: Hospital and community facilities (n=20) that expressed an interest to participate in the study were included. Patients were included if they had a grade 2 or 3 acute or chronic wound. Patients who were immuno-suppressed, had skin grafts, skin-graft donor sites, wounds with a sinus where the base was not visible, unbroken skin, full thickness wounds with damage to muscle, bone and supporting structures, and burns were excluded.

Method: Data were collected using a data collection tool specifically developed and piloted for the research project. Data collected included patient and wound demographics, medical and surgical history, the type and volume of solution and the method used to cleanse wounds.

Findings: The results were analysed using SPSS 10.0 to determine if the recommendations from the BPIS had been adopted. Preliminary analysis of the data indicates a low compliance to the recommendations.

Conclusions: The outcomes of this study indicate that dissemination of information alone, without a formal strategy for its implementation by the disseminating body, does not promote the uptake of evidence based guidelines in clinical practice.

Implications: A strategy for the implementation of evidence based guidelines should be developed by institutions to facilitate the incorporation of research into practice.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004