Eman Al Thaher
Tawam Hospital, UAE
Title: “Why should I think like a researcher with wound care?â€
Biography
Biography: Eman Al Thaher
Abstract
Background: Wound Care Quality Improvement Project was initiated due to low compliance of proper usage of wound care product (dressing) to patients by health care providers as shown in the initial audits done 47.5% staff using new methods and 52.5% staff using old methods. The goal to achieve is to provide proper wound management and to reduce the number of referral and re-admission to the hospital due to wound complication by adhering to policy and procedure related (PPG’s) of proper wound assessment and using appropriate wound dressing materials.
Objective: To educate the staff regarding proper wound care management and utilizing different types of wound dressing. In addition; involving patient and families in their plan of care. Moreover, to motivate all staff to update their knowledge in current trends of wound care by attending workshops, seminar and lecture related to wound care management. Last but not least, familiarize the staff of the availability of latest dressing materials. And finally, to collect, analyze and evaluate outcomes within specific time frame e.g. every 3 months’ time.
Data Collection: Firstly, we formed a multidisciplinary team composed of Nurses, Assistant Nurses and doctors. Secondly, audit the type of dressing being used and the progress of the healing process. Furthermore, to create a tool to be used in conducting a survey that will reflect the reasons of compliance and non-compliance. Next, perform a pilot study by selecting 2 cases and follow it up within 2 weeks’ time. Together with educating and involving patients regarding their plan of care by demonstration and explanation and document in CERNER (electronic patient files) and lastly; to involve the wound care specialist and Purchasing department regarding the availability of dressing materials. Data Analysis includes conducting a survey. Also, conducting result of pilot study where it was found that, from the 29 patients audited for the month, 45% did not adhere to the appropriate use of the new wound care products. Further, from the 25 patients audited for the following month, 60% did not adhere to the appropriate use of the new wound care products. Therefore, it is a must that the audit cycle should be repeated monthly for 6 months then quarterly until 100% compliance. Criteria of audit are the compliance of staff to use the new wound care products, monthly.