Using a health improvement methodology to standardise leg ulcer management

Despite guidelines, best-practice statements and CQUIN targets, venous leg ulcers have been highlighted as an area that continues to demonstrate lack of evidence-based practice and variation in practice, which contribute to poor patient outcomes and escalating costs. Leg ulcer services that use a systematic and standardised approach to leg ulcer management are highly successful in improving healing rates, preventing recurrence and contributing to patients' wellbeing. This article seeks to explore the use of the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle in clinical practice to improve and standardise leg ulcer management.