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Implementation of an Interprofessional Wound Care Collaboration Model in a Rural Health Organization
Background: There is an increasing need for specialty wound care in rural areas. Interprofessional collaboration can maximize the available resources and improve patient outcomes including improved wound healing, increased patient satisfaction, and more holistic and meaningful patient care. Significance Nurses need to advocate for patients in all areas, but it is critical that they are equipped to advocate for the special needs of patients with wounds. Complex health conditions can lead to chronic and/or hard to heal wounds which increases the importance for wound care specialists, including certified wound care nurses. Nurses can be the leaders in the change to interprofessional collaboration in wound care.
Purpose: Determine if implementation of an interprofessional wound care model for patients over the age of 18 in a rural midwestern health setting would improve time to wound healing and patient satisfaction.
Methodology: This was an evidence based quality improvement change project in which an interprofessional wound care collaborative model was implemented. A post-implementation convenience sample using descriptive statistics was extracted from the charts of patients that met the inclusion criteria. Time to wound healing was evaluated. Other data extracted were patient age, sex, wound type, wound characteristics, wound measurements, and comorbidities. Wound healing increments ranged from two weeks to four months for healing. Team member surveys were analyzed for data.
Results: Nine patient charts meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed. Four patient’s wounds had 100% granulation and three patients had 100% epithelialization of their wounds. One patient wound had 95% epithelialization, and another one patient wound had 30% granulation and 60% epithelialization. All wounds except one showed improvement or healing at the end of study period. Surveys from team members showed supported the project and that it was beneficial.
Implications: Advanced practice nurses provide the leadership and guidance in setting up interprofessional teams and can create the change that is needed to ensure that every patient has the opportunity to receive holistic interprofessional care. Nurses need to advocate for wound care certified nursing staff. Research can be done to find evidence supporting interprofessional wound care team models and determine how specific comorbidities affect wound healing.
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