Publication details
EFFECTIVE WOUND EVALUATION IN NURSING – CROSS
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Abstract book - 24th Conference of the European Wound Management Association |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://ewma2014.org/fileadmin/user_upload/EWMAconferences/2014/Programme/EWMA2014_AbstractBook_ENG_final_WEB.pdf |
| Field | Other medical specializations |
| Keywords | evaluation;assessment;nonhealing wound |
| Description | Aim: The study deals with ways of assessing non-healing wounds in inpatient facilities in the Czech Republic. It monitors the evaluation of the following individual parameters: wound symptoms observed by the general nurse, their recording, and the use of objective techniques for the evaluation of individual parameters of the wound. Survey is based on results from foreign scientific sources dealing with: the possible generalization of symptoms and usage of elementary evaluation tools, and scales from clinical practice aimed at the unification of assessment processes for non-healing wounds. Methods: The research has been carried out at 77 inpatient medical facilities (8 university hospitals, 63 hospitals and 6 long term hospitals) across all regions of the Czech Republic. A mixed-model has been used for the research (participatory observation including creation of field notes and content analysis of documents). Qualitative and quantitative data has been obtained and analysed. Results: The results of this research have corroborated the inconsistency of procedures for assessment of non-healing wounds by general nurses. The situation is more positive concerning the evaluation of fundamental parameters of a wound (e.g. size, depth, and location of the wound) rather than the evaluation of specific parameters (e.g. exudation or signs of infection) – not only regarding the amount of observed parameters, but also with regard to objectification. An effective strategy for wound management involves the method and scope of the assessment of non-healing wounds in clinical practice in observed facilities. Conclusions: A larger number of symptoms were observed and objectified when a consultant for wound healing was present (p 0,047). The same situation applied for facilities possessing a certificate of quality issued by the Czech Wound Management Association (p 0,010). The result of this study is a “non-healing wound assessment” algorithm reviewed by the committee members of the Czech Wound Management Association. An expert group for the creation of recommended clinical guidelines of evaluation and care for patient with non-healing wounds in the Czech Republic has been established. |