Packets make assessments easy for nurses to perform
Packets make assessments easy for nurses to perform
Nurses at Sullivan County Community Hospital Home Health and Hospice in Sullivan, IN, don't spend time looking for a copy of the Braden Scale, documentation checklists, pressure ulcer intervention guidelines, or teaching tools. They just pick up a pre-packaged envelope and go.
"The best way to make sure a nurse has everything necessary for a pressure ulcer assessment is to put it together ahead of time," says Paula J. Long, RN, CHCE, administrator of the agency. They have two pressure ulcer-related packets. One packet contains tools and information to use for patients who require a risk assessment for pressure ulcers, and the other packet is for patients who already have a pressure ulcer that requires treatment.
Contents of each packet are:
Pressure ulcer risk assessment packet:
Braden Scale;
guideline for assessment of skin, lower extremities, medical conditions, medications, and other risk factors associated with pressure ulcers;
guidelines for interventions based on risk factors, patients goals, and patient input;
teaching protocol tool to use with patient, family member, or other caregiver;
care plan with clinical goals.
Pressure ulcer packet:
process checklist that goes to pressure ulcer team manager and outlines actions and time frame;
a fax physician communication form specifically for pressure ulcers that the nurse completes to include a description of the ulcer, treatment recommendations, nutritional status, and other information the physician will need to order treatment;
weekly pressure ulcer record on which the nurse documents details of the wound and the treatment;
intervention guidelines;
care plan with clinical goals.
Nurses at Sullivan County Community Hospital Home Health and Hospice in Sullivan, IN, don't spend time looking for a copy of the Braden Scale, documentation checklists, pressure ulcer intervention guidelines, or teaching tools. They just pick up a pre-packaged envelope and go.Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.