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Informational/Educational Report
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Creating a user-friendly approach to pressure ulcer management in long-term care Sandra Dudziak, RN, MSc, FNP, Central Care Corporation, Cambridge, ON, Canada; Patricia E. Carlson, RN, CINA, (c), 3M Canada Health Care Pressure ulcer development in non-acute facilities continues to be challenging. A nationwide search of data, 1990 - 2003, shows 29% of the residents are expected to develop some form of pressure ulcer Research of an 87-site Long Term Care (LTC) chain showed that the incidence of pressure ulcer development was not decreasing, despite previous educational programs. A thorough assessment was completed and showed staff felt they lacked the knowledge, experience and resources to make appropriate clinical decisions. We decided to create a comprehensive wound care program based on the CAWC 2001 best practice guidelines to:..-Develop user-friendly algorithms*.-Incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach based on best practices3.-Develop wound care policies, procedures and theoretical components .focused on prevention, assessment and management .-Implement program through a structured educational plan, aimed at all levels of staff, utilizing adult learning principles Twelve multi-disciplinary internal stakeholders and 6 external experts were chosen to review the material to ensure validity and adherence to best practices. Education was provided to 87 LTC sites with emphasis on best practice, prevention strategies and algorithm utilization Staff reports:..-Facilitates decision making provides full scope of treatment not just .dressings.-User friendly interdisciplinary approach.-Can use problem solving skills while having choices based on best practice.-Clear guidelines for clinical practice..Pressure ulcer prevention/management in LTC is a major challenge for staff. We discovered that user-friendly clinical tools resulted in enhanced staff knowledge and confidence to integrate best practice into their daily routine, while improving resident quality of life . Pressure Ulcers in Adults: Prediction and Prevention. Clinical Practice Guidelines 3. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 1992 Dolynchuck K, Keast D, Campbell K, Houghton P, Orsted H, Sibbald G, Atkinson A. Best practices for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2000;46(11):38Ð52..Sarvis C. Driving excellence into long-term care with a multidisciplinary wound care program. Long Term Care. 2003;13(4):17Ð21 Woodbury G, Houghton P. Prevalence of pressure ulcers in Canadian healthcare settings. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2004;50(10):22Ð38.. |
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