The development of a competency assessment for vacuum assisted closure therapy

The increased use of medical equipment to support patient care has led healthcare trusts to place a growing emphasis on providing documented evidence of a practitioner's competence to perform a specific clinical skill or the ability of a practitioner to use certain types of equipment. This article focuses on the development of an assessment process for the clinical skill of applying negative pressure to a wound using a vacuum assisted closure (VAC) technique. It is contended that the purpose of assessment should be to enhance the process of skills acquisition rather than just record a measure of performance at a particular point in time. The approach of competency-based assessment is critically analysed to provide evidence on which to develop a competency-based framework for skills acquisition and assessment. Reliability and validity in the process of competency assessment of a clinical skill is also evaluated to substantiate the development of a competency-based assessment process for clinicians using VAC therapy. The role and responsibility for the clinical nurse specialist in clinical skills assessment is analysed to provide recommendations for future practice.