Authors (including presenting author) :
ROI YY(1), LEUNG HY(1), HEUNG LW(1), YIP TH(1), LI KY(1), CHAN WMM(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Community Nursing Service, Princess Margaret Hospital
Introduction :
Venous leg ulcer is the most common type of leg ulceration. Chronic venous leg ulcers are usually covered by copious amount of debris and surrounded by encrusted skin. Although literature suggested that foot bathing is a therapeutic and holistic intervention in venous leg ulcer management, most patients locally have no opportunities to wash the legs in between wound dressing that they might feel unclean, smelly, painful and depressed. Foot bathing is a common practice for patients with chronic venous leg ulcers in PMH Community Nursing Service (CNS), it is well worth conducting a research study to evaluate patient’s clinical outcomes and experience after foot bathing in the community.
Objectives :
1. To explore effects of foot bathing on patient’s quality of life 2. To investigate effects of foot bathing on patient’s wound pain and leg ulcer condition
Methodology :
A literature review on the study topic was conducted from seven electronic databases including Medline, CINAHL complete, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Joanna Bridggs Institute EBP Database and Nursing Reference Center. The review revealed a knowledge gap that no previous study had investigated the effects of foot bathing for patients with chronic venous leg ulcer. A practice guideline with evidence-based support and expert opinions from wound specialists was developed by PMH CNS and endorsed by PMH Nursing Management Team to provide a standardized practice for foot bathing. This study with a prospective design recruits patients diagnosed with chronic venous leg ulcers without wound infection. Foot bathing is carried out before every wound dressing change by community nurse or patient/ carer with competency achieved. Home visits are scheduled according to clinical needs.
Result & Outcome :
Health-related quality of life measured by Skindex-16 questionnaire is the primary outcome of the study. Wound characteristics, including wound size measured by a three-dimensional wound measurement device, exudates and signs of infection, and patient’s wound pain level will also be collected at the beginning and at the end of the study for comparison. This study will be reviewed by the KWC Research Ethics Committee. The study results will envisage further direction and insights on practice of foot bathing for patients with chronic venous leg ulcers in community and other clinical settings.
