1590 A Change in Wound Documentation: Wound Photography

Suzanne Stewart, MS, RN, CWOCN and Kelly Chapman, BSN, RN, Robert Packer Hospital, Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse, Sayre, PA
A Change in Wound Documentation:  Wound Photography

Wound documentation at our facility has evolved over the past few years with changes in practice made by our Nursing Skin Resource team.  Our team consists of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and care partners from critical care units and medical surgical units. We meet quarterly to conduct prevalence and incidence audits, to review pressure ulcer rates, discuss prevention measures, yearly education and other skin care needs, such as product trials.  The first change in our wound documentation practice occurred in 2006 with the development of “Measurement Monday”.  This concept was proposed by one of our skin team nurses and then was implemented hospital wide.  In 2007 a specific tool was created by a Nursing Quality Council member to ensure consistent wound documentation.  In 2010, our Nursing Skin Resource team began exploring the possibility of wound photography as an adjunct to wound documentation.  Our skin resource team chair and the WOC nurse began researching evidence based practices and called other facilities for their wound photography practices.  After approval from the nursing leadership team to implement wound photography, the skin resource chair and WOC nurse met with Risk Management to finalize development of a consistent policy.  Once the policy was written and approved, cameras and printers were purchased.  Wound photography education was completed at unit council meetings by the WOC nurses and skin resource team members, as well as an on-line competency.  Consistency of wound photography continues to be evaluated through audits by the skin team and WOC nurses.  Feedback from nursing staff reveals that wound photography has helped improve their nursing practice and promote improved documentation.  Random chart audits will be performed though out this year to evaluate the practice and consistency of wound photography.