The leg ulcer resource team: a standard of care

A leg ulcer resource team was formed to introduce and implement a standard of care for patients with leg ulcers. An audit of the standard following implementation showed that 82% of ulcers had been classified correctly, diagnostic tools had been used in 78% of cases and a clear rationale for care given in 86%. However, accurate identification of patient needs in the care plan occurred in only 39% of cases, and only 60% of care plans had ulcer size and site recorded. Patient education was also a problem--25% of patients did not know what type of ulcer they had and only 43% could describe care of their ulcer or identify risk factors associated with leg ulceration.