Purpose: Today's nurses are busier than ever and sometimes errors are made sometimes resulting in waste or harm to patients. This study was launched to evaluate wound care product knowledge, assess product waste and focus on potential harm to patients in the hospital setting.

Objective: The objective of this study was to 1) measure the impact of using educational packaging in the performance of wound care by nurses at the bedside to simplify the process and prevent patient harm. 2) Reduce product waste when poorly labeled packages are opened in error and then thrown away.

Methodology: Pre tests were conducted to determine the nurse's knowledge on the use of wound products along with a simple anonymous questionnaire about product usage. Products with Educational Packaging * were inserviced on all shifts and implemented throughout the hospital. A month later a post tests were conducted along with another anonymous questionnaire regarding product waste.

Results: Pre testing identified areas of knowledge deficit in using wound care products. The survey revealed that on average 5% of the staff indicated that they had thrown product away. The findings were used to re-educate staff. Post test results showed an increase in nursing staff knowledge of wound care products by 80 % and a decrease in waste to less than 1%.  

Conclusion/Hypothesis: Educational Packaging (EP)*  provides indications, contraindications and frequency of change as well as illustrated application instructions and a sticker for dressing change charting on each package. The availability and clarity of the information increased the knowledge of the bedside nurse and decreased errors in product application. Appropriate use of wound care products ultimately prevented patient harm and reduced waste.

*Educational packaging (EP) by Medline Industries, Inc. Mundelein, IL.