Speaker
Description
Objective: Synergize evidence-based practices from the Pressure Injury (PI), eHealth, and Interprofessional Care Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) to optimize skin assessments and wound documentation workflow at Scarborough Health Network (SHN). The target is ≥90% utilization by December 2026.
Background: Inconsistent skin assessments and documentation have contributed to gaps in data and practice. Retrospective data indicates that a mere 22% of charts met documentation standards.
RNAO BPGs Pressure Ulcer Prevention, Interprofessional Care, and eHealth informed this initiative. Key recommendations were:
- Collaboration using a systematic approach to PI management
- Communicating and collaborating in a culturally safe and inclusive manner
- Incorporating usability in the adoption of eHealth solutions to enhance care
- Interprofessional care partnerships across the organization
Given SHN’s diverse population, particularly for darker skin tones, strategies included developing resources utilizing the Monk Skin Tone Scale to promote culturally inclusive assessments. A harmonized care model was developed, which infused the Wound Prevention and Management Cycle concepts and leveraged existing clinical information system (CIS) processes to improve data reliability and care. (RNAO, 2024; Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2013).
Results: Preliminary findings contributing to practice variabilities include:
- Uncertainty in wound assessments and documentation workflows
- Inconsistencies in wound image capture
A pilot currently underway is utilizing this model to provide culturally sensitive skin assessments, leverage the CIS image capture capabilities to document baseline skin photos, and improve active wound images and description documentation. Interdisciplinary partnerships were also established to ensure the model is practical and user-centered. Ongoing evaluation will focus on improvements in compliance rates and culturally diverse care to guide future phases.
Conclusion: Structured workflows and education may improve documentation accuracy and enhance interdisciplinary communication. Lessons learned include the importance of:
- Ishikawa diagram and process mapping
- Cultural inclusivity
- Interdisciplinary engagement
Sustained success will depend on ongoing evaluation, staff engagement, and reinforcement of standardized practices.
Author(s) Credentials and Title
-Katie Lai (BScN, MN, RN)
-Fan Lin (BScN, MCLSC-Wound Healing, WOCC(C))
-Deepa Rickhi (BScN, MN, RN)
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is your abstract related to?
Pressure injury management: Risk assessment, prevention and treatment
| Organization Name | Scarborough Health Network |
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