Abstract: Assessing the Impact of Nursing Education on Skin and Wound Care (WOCN Society 41st Annual Conference (June 6- June 10, 2009))

3437 Assessing the Impact of Nursing Education on Skin and Wound Care

Lisa Boudreau, APN, MSN, CWOCN , Rush University Medical Center, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Chicago, IL
Robert Maurer, RN, CWON , Rush University Medical Center, Wound Ostomy Nurse, Chicago, IL
Joyce Reft, APN, MSN, CWOCN , Rush University Medical Center, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Chicago, IL
Susan Larson, MS, RN , Rush University Medical Center, Education Quality Coordinator, Chicago, IL
Beverly Hancock, MS, RN-BC , Rush University Medical Center, Education Quality Coordinator, Magnet Project Director, Chicago, IL
Ruth Kleinpell, PhD., RN, FAAN, FAANP, FCCM , Rush University Medical Center, Director, Center for Clinical Research and Scholarship, Professor, Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL
Purpose:  The monitoring and prevention of skin breakdown is a priority area of focus for nursing care.   Research has suggested that nurses’ lack of knowledge and confidence may have a negative impact on the quality of skin and wound care that they provide to patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of education on skin and wound care in clinical nursing practice.
Method: A descriptive study was conducted at a Magnet-designated University-affiliated medical center to assess the impact of an educational workshop on clinical nurses’ knowledge and level of confidence in skin and wound care. Pre and post tests were administered to clinical nursing staff attending a 4 hour skin and wound care workshop. The skin care workshop included pressure ulcer prevention, assessment and treatment and was presented by the Certified Wound Ostomy Nurses.  The convenience sample consisted of registered nurses (N=144) who attended the workshop. Follow up was conducted via a web-based Likert-scale survey at 3 months after the workshop to assess confidence levels and use of the educational information in clinical practice.
Results: Preliminary data demonstrates that the participants felt that the workshop had a positive impact on clinical nursing practice. Level of confidence while providing skin and wound care demonstrated a significant increase with majority of nurses (77%) indicating they had complete or mostly complete confidence in assessing skin and wound care issues after attendance at the workshop.  Similarly, majority of participants (90%) identified that the workshop provided useful information for clinical practice and  provided examples that illustrated using the knowledge obtained from the workshop in clinical practice.
Conclusion: This study provides important information on the benefits of an intensive workshop focusing on skin and wound care. This session will provide an overview of the study results, highlighting implications for clinical practice.
See more of: Research Poster
See more of: Research Abstract