Clinical audit and effective change in leg ulcer services

An audit of clinical leg ulcer services was undertaken in South Bedfordshire and was followed by a process of implementation using research-based methods; a re-audit was conducted 18 months later. Using an adaptation of the Riverside model, patients were referred to community leg ulcer clinics. They were assessed using Doppler ultrasound; those with ABPI >0.8 were treated using a high-compression four-layer bandage system. Those with ABPI 0.6-0.8 were treated using reduced compression, and those with ABPI <0.6 were sent to their GP for referral for specialist opinion. In October 1993, the average cost of consumables for each patient was £8.53, and this rose to £10.14 in May 1995. However, patients treated in community clinics had a reduced cost of consumables of £7.91 compared with £10.78 for patients treated at home. There was also a corresponding reduction in weekly treatments and an overall reduction in nursing time to treat patients. In 111 patients (134 limbs) treated by high compression in the community clinics, cumulative percentage healing was 54% after 12 weeks and 68% after 24 weeks. Although these results were lower than those achieved in the Riverside project, much of the difference can be explained by the different patient populations and ulcer duration. The results support a system of care which offers rationalisation of service, staff training and research-based effective assessment and treatment.