'Team effort' significantly reducing wound prevalence: RPN
Thursday, December 1, 2005 -- Craig Anderson
A top-to-bottom effort from nursing staff to health care aides to identify wounds in their early stages has lowered the number of advanced stage wounds at Woodland Villa, says Debra Hannan, a registered practical nurse.

“Early identification has been a key to the process,” says Debra, who along with Deb Kitchen, director of care, is trained in Theresa Hurd wound care techniques.

“We have an increase in stage one wounds, but this is because we are catching things much quicker now due to the staff being so aware. [The end result] is that we have a lower incidence of stage 2 and 3 wounds, which are much more serious,” says Debra.

Early identification of minor skin lesions, and a concerted effort by frontline staff to ensure that residents with low mobility are positioned properly are part of Woodland’s comprehensive preventative system.

“It’s so nice to have this knowledge and be able to practice expert wound care techniques,” says Debra. “OMNI’s willingness to educate through the ‘Healthy Living, Healthy Skin’ program has given us the tools to keep the number of wounds under control.”

Nutrition and physiotherapy are also important components of 'Healthy Living, Healthy Skin'. Proper protein levels are necessary to guarantee the skin regeneration required to end the decomposition associated with a typical pressure ulcer.

A high protein/vitamin supplement called Resource 2.0 is given to residents healing from a skin wound. For those who are in beds for extended periods, or are in positions where a pressure ulcer might develop, finding creative ways to keep them mobile can significantly reduce the possibility of a stage one wound developing, says Debra.

“We have a very good overall system,” says Debra. “The activity department does walking exercises for those who can walk, and passive exercises for those who are in wheelchairs or confined to bed. We work closely with our dietary department, too,” says Debra.

A recently created partnership between OMNI and Therapy Supplies will also aid staff in eliminating advanced pressure ulcers. Therapy Supplies provide long-term care specific seating and mobility devices, offering weekly in-home visits to assess equipment need.

“The program is very new, so we won’t know its impact yet, but anything that helps us {reduce wounds] is beneficial,” she says.