Authors (including presenting author) :
CHAN YHK(1), CHAN CWJ(1), HO SHA(1), TSE LKD(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Community Nursing Service, Cartias Medical Centre
Introduction :
In Hong Kong, the prevalence and incidence of chronic wounds are not well documented. However, it is well known that a great number of elderly patients with chronic wounds receive wound dressings in general out-patient clinics (GOPC) or at home by community nurses. While the demand for wound care management has increased, the need for promoting staff engagement and empowerment through providing access to information, support, resources, and opportunities are expected.
Objectives :
1) Enhance and refresh professional knowledge on wound management 2) Ensure continuity of wound care for patients from hospital to community 3) Improve quality of wound care service 4) Build up learning culture and prepare for further advancement in wound care
Methodology :
1. In service training: Regular in-service training allowed nurses to provide more effective wound care and update their knowledge. Two in-service training of wound care for CNS staff were launched in 2020. 2. Wound care delivery Model: Three-tier wound care delivery model was adopted. In basic level, wound was assessed, and nursing care was delivered by team nurse. For complex wound management, APN would provide comprehensive wound assessment and intermediate intervention. For complex wound requiring advanced nursing assessment/ therapy or intervention, wound specialty nurse would be referred for further management. 3. Quality control measure: Departmental nursing audit on wound care management was conducted in 2-3 yearly. 4. Professional development: Nurses were encouraged to attend local or oversea training for wound management.
Result & Outcome :
1) Two in-service training on wound care management were completed in 19/20 achieving 90% nurses training with positive feedback. 2) Under the three-tier wound care delivery model, two wound specialty nurses provided expert consultations and direct care to complex wound case which were over 200 attendances in 19/20. 3) Departmental nursing audit on wound care management was performed in 2017/18; overall performance was satisfactory with 92.3% compliance rate achieved. 4) In 2019/20 five nurses were nominated to attend two basic wound courses and two APNs joined an oversea training - the APETNA 2019. An e-poster presentation of “Sharp Wound Debridement in Home Setting” was shared with international counterparts at Wounds UK Annual conference 2020. However, with current challenges in community, it is essential that the community nurses have the skills to manage patients with complex wound. Throughout these strategies, staff engagement and empowerment in wound care are optimized.
