Reduced prevalence and severity of wounds following implementation of the Champions for Skin Integrity model to facilitate uptake of evidence‐based practice in aged care

Abstract

This study suggests the Champions for Skin Integrity model has the potential to improve uptake of evidence-based wound management and improve skin integrity for older adults.

Implementation of the Champions for Skin Integrity model to improve leg and foot ulcer care in the primary healthcare setting

“…The project benefited the community who are affected by chronic leg and foot ulceration as it was able to facilitate the implementation of evidence‐based leg and foot ulcer care in the primary care setting, therefore potentially leading to improved health outcomes. The patients receiving wound care from staff at the general practice clinics who had undergone CSI training would be expected to have improved treatment and management leading to improved outcomes similar to those gained in the aged care setting where this model was implemented on a much larger scale (Edwards et al, ). This will include improved skin integrity, reduced prevalence and severity of wounds, shorter time to healing and increased implementation of evidence‐based prevention strategies, improved client comfort and education and involvement of patients and family in their care.…”

“…These surveys included questions on knowledge and confidence in regard to evidence‐based practice, and wound assessment, management and prevention. Secondary data were also collected in the form of skin integrity audits carried out by health professional's pre‐ and postworkshop attendance on patients with leg and foot ulcers attending general practices. These audit procedures and forms have previously been used (Edwards et al, ) and include documentation on wound type and the assessment, management and prevention activities implemented for the patient.…”

“…As there is very little information on health professionals employed in general practice, this was collected as important baseline information. These surveys have previously been described in Edwards et al () and were developed based on the validated self‐efficacy in evidence‐based practice scale (Chang & Crowe, ). Previous validation of this tool reported Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.91–0.97 (Chang & Crowe, ), the original study in residential aged care reported Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.967–0.971 and this current study found similar results, with a Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.952–0.955.…”

“…Previous validation of this tool reported Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.91–0.97 (Chang & Crowe, ), the original study in residential aged care reported Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.967–0.971 and this current study found similar results, with a Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.952–0.955. The survey also included questions on knowledge about evidence‐based skin and wound care strategies and perceived barriers to implementation of evidence‐based care (Edwards et al, ). Most questions were designed using a four‐point Likert scale of not confident/never, unsure, somewhat confident/rarely, very confident/regularly with open‐ended questions for questions such as barriers to implementing evidence‐based practice.…”

“…The Champions for Skin Integrity (CSI) model of evidence‐based wound care was developed in 2009, consisting of a multi‐strategy model to facilitate the uptake of evidence‐based wound assessment, management and prevention strategies (Edwards, Finlayson, Parker, Jensen, & Finlayson, ). This model has previously been described in Edwards et al (), and results from a previous study of the CSI model demonstrated the value and capacity of a multi‐faceted approach (Edwards et al, ) to the transfer of knowledge through three areas: 1 day educational “train‐the‐trainer” workshops; human resource support through supporting and facilitating internal and external network development; and practical tools in the form of a CSI resource kit developed from evidence‐based guidelines, such as those produced by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN Institute Centre for Evidence Based Nursing, ), Joanna Briggs Institute (Queirós et al, ) and Wounds Australia (formerly Australian Wound Management Association) (The Australian Wound Management Association Inc & the New Zealand Wound Care Society Inc, ). The CSI model has been successfully implemented in the area of Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in Australia, resulting in a decreased prevalence of wounds and an increase in staff confidence and uptake of evidence‐based wound management strategies (Edwards et al, ).…”