Abstract: Magnetizing a Skin Care Program in an Oncology Setting…Raising the Bar (43rd Annual Conference (June 4-8, 2011))
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5277 Magnetizing a Skin Care Program in an Oncology Setting…Raising the Bar

Lucia L. Scarpino, MS, RN, CWOCN, Roswell Park Cancer Institiute, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Buffalo, NY and Melissa S. Hiscock, BSN, RN, CWOCN, Roswell Park Cancer Institiute, Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse, Buffalo, NY
Achieving Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center is an arduous process and maintaining that prestigious status is even more challenging.   The WOC nurses at a Comprehensive Cancer Center took it upon themselves to raise the bar in the institute’s skin care program by expanding and enhancing its current program. The journey began by identifying deficiencies in the program and reeducating nursing personnel in areas of wound and skin care. A new component introduced into the program was peer review. Through the peer review process, skin and risk assessment documentation is audited twice a day enabling staff to become aware of their performance as well as their colleague’s. In addition to peer review, the following initiatives were implemented:           

1. “The Champion”- a monthly electronic newsletter which is circulated to all nursing personnel.  The newsletter highlights minutes from the monthly Skin Care Team meeting, CEU opportunities, introduction to unit Skin Care Champions, Journal club articles, and Quality data and presentation.

2.  “Cheek of the Week” - a weekly educational tool using pictures to identify and explain skin and wound terminology used in the Electronic Medical Record flow sheet.

3.     “APPLE a day” acronym.  APPLE stands for Assessment, Pressure redistribution, Protect and cleanse the skin, Liquids and nourishment, and Everyone is responsible.  This serves all nursing and assistant staff. 

 The outcomes from this initiative include:

  1. Peer Review has improved documentation compliance per the institute’s policy.
  2. “The Champion” created an unexpected wave of response from nursing personnel amplifying interest and participation in Skin Care activities.
  3. The “Cheek of the Week” has improved nursing personnel’s understanding of terminology used in the EMR resulting in more accurate skin and wound assessments.

 Sharing of these initiatives may assist other WOC nurses in developing or improving a skin care program.

 

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