Authors (including presenting author) :
Lau T(1), Wong PH(1), Cheng YC(1), Mok LC(1), Mok WY(1), Ho MW(1), Chui M(1), Lau SF(1), Leung KP(1), Lo ST(1), Su NLS(1), Tam YT(1), Yu WY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Patients with chronic wounds require long periods of wound care, increasing patients/ carers stress and healthcare burden. Patient participation in healthcare improves their health behaviours and satisfaction, thus enhancing clinical outcomes and economic benefits (Moore, 2016). A patient empowerment service for self-wound dressing was launched in 2014, providing safe and monitored wound care, and while alleviating the burden of public wound care services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this service decreased the chance of disease transmission by reducing the attendance frequency of patients.
Objectives :
To enable continuous wound monitoring by participants through enhancing the self-care concept. To alleviate public wound care services. To increase staff satisfaction over wound care services.
Methodology :
Patients with chronic wounds requiring simple wound dressing or their carers have been recruited since 2014. All nurses are qualified for screening and training of participants after orientation to this service. A self-wound management education video and pamphlet were provided to participants. Dressing procedures were demonstrated with emphasis on key points. Participants were required to demonstrate self-dressing under supervision until they passed a competency assessment, after which they could perform self-dressing independently at home. Clinical photos of the latest wound condition were taken and uploaded to CMS before discharge for future comparison. Quality of self-dressing was maintained in three ways. First, participants were welcome to seek help from ward nurses before discharge. Second, a hotline was provided in case of wound deterioration or dressing problems after discharge. Nurse clinic appointment was arranged promptly if any deterioration was reported. Third, wound healing progress, self-dressing practice, and service satisfaction were evaluated one month after recruitment by phone contact. Anonymous questionnaires were collected from nurses to evaluate staff satisfaction.
Result & Outcome :
413 cases were recruited, and 5047 wound care episodes were taken up by participants since 2014. The unplanned re-admission rate was reduced from 4.6% to 0.5% and 94% of wound condition was improved in terms of size, pain, exudate amount, and smell. Participants reported satisfaction with the service in terms of self-wound management confidence, cost-effectiveness, and wound healing outcomes. Most nurses agreed the program met the objective (95%) and were confident to provide the service (90%).
