Documenting wound management

An audit of new wound management guidelines was conducted in October 1993 at St James's University Hospital, Leeds. Five patients with wounds (including pressure sores, cavity wounds and leg ulcers) were randomly sampled in each ward. Where the number of patients with wounds in a ward was five or less, all patients were recruited. An audit questionnaire based on an agreed standard was completed for all wounds. The areas included in the audit were all wards in general surgery, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, gynaecology, intensive care, elderly care and medicine. A sample of 120 patients with 152 wounds was obtained, comprising pressure sores, leg ulcers and infected wounds. A new wound assessment form was used in 89.5% of wounds audited (136/152), and only one of these patients did not have a designated care plan. The audit process raised awareness of the issues involved. The process of reviewing documentation with the wound-care link nurse identified areas for further improvement. The guidelines and wound-care forms are now in widespread use.