Improving wound care outcomes in the home setting

In 2001 through 2003, our agency received deficiencies in infection-control practices, specific to wound care, from JCAHO and Medicare surveyors. Efforts to correct this pattern were initially unsuccessful. As a result, in 2003, an interdisciplinary performance improvement team was formed to assess, plan, and implement a wound care program utilizing research-based best practice. The changes in process, practice, and education resulted in success, with improvement evidenced by 100% acceptable practice during our 2004 unannounced JCAHO/Medicare survey, a declined rate of wound infection per our Medicare OASIS Adverse Event Report, and a decrease in wound care patient visits.