Authors (including presenting author) :
Tong MH, Chim CK, Poon WH Winnie, Tsang MW, Tsang SW, Lai SY, Kwok ML Angela, Tsang TL, Cheng HM, Elsie Hui
Affiliation :
Community Outreach Services Team(COST), New Territories Cluster Hospital(NTEC)
Introduction :
Wound packing is a common procedure that Community Nurses(CN) perform in daily wound care. Special attention should be taken to ensure safe wound packing. However, an incidence of retained dressing in wound occurred in March 2020 that investigation identified the gaps including (1) wound dressing packing method (2) communication gap among cross specialties involving patient care journey. Therefore, a pilot of innovative wound packing dressing prototype and system enhancement are implemented thus to improve wound packing safety in NTEC COST.
Objectives :
1. To establish a high standard and safe wound packing practice
2. To develop a new “Wound Packing Dressing Prototype”
3. To enhance communication across specialties
4. To empower patient /carer with high alertness on wound packing
Methodology :
1. A workgroup was formed comprised of nurse consultant and wound specialist to develop a new practice.
2. Innovative Wound Dressing Packing Prototype was developed “2-in-1” dressing prototype is used as packing material become visible outside and removal on whole piece. Photos were taken for handover among the team via HA Chat.
3. A standardized nursing note template on wound packing was set up in CMS for documentation thus to facilitate community and hospital or cross specialties clinical communication.
4. “Patient Wound Packing Record” and “Wound Packing Alert Card” were designed for empowerment of patients/caregivers so as to alert health-care professional during clinic visits or hospitalization.
5. Patient or staff satisfaction survey were conducted to evaluate the new wound packing practice.
Result & Outcome :
From 1st September to 18th December 2020, no retained packing incident occurred. Staff conducted 38 new wound packing practice. In the survey, 89%(n=34) staff reflected the new wound packing prototype is easy to use; 100% staff(n=38) agreed it aroused their alertness wound packing; 97%(n=37) agreed wound photo could enhance clinical handover; 100%(n=38) staff satisfied the new practice “2-in-1” dressing was removed in one whole piece.
100% (n=19) patient agreed the wound packing alert card and record enhance mutual communication.
This innovative practice enhances safe wound packing in community setting and is highly acceptable by nursing staff and patient.
