Continuation of an Evidence-Based Practice Project to Prevent the Recurrence of Venous Ulcers: Initial Patient Follow-Up and New Patient Enrollment

Continuation of an Evidence-Based Practice Project to Prevent the Recurrence of Venous Ulcers: Initial Patient Follow-Up and New Patient Enrollment

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to provide additional data on a patient education to reduce the recurrence of venous ulcers. Twenty-eight patients initially enrolled in a patient education program were interviewed by phone to assess knowledge retention and ulcer recurrence at 36 weeks follow-up. Also, 22 new patients were enrolled in the program and assessed at two and nine weeks follow-up. Results from the new patients were compared to those from the initial group of patients.

Methodology: This research utilized an evidence-based practice approach to assess patient knowledge and venous ulcer recurrence in a group of 28 patients initially enrolled in the project in January, 2013. Patient education was provided in the homes of 22 additional patients with two and nine week follow-up phone calls completed to assess knowledge retention, wound healing, and wound recurrence.

Statistics: Unpaired t-tests were utilized to compare knowledge scores of new patients enrolled in the program from baseline. The same approach was used to compare knowledge scores of newly enrolled patients and patients from the original study. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate recurrence rates.

Results: The findings demonstrate that at 36 weeks follow-up, disease and self-care knowledge was retained and statistically significant when compared with baseline assessments. Recurrence for the population remained the same at 50%. New patients enrolled in the program had similar knowledge scores following the intervention and at two and nine weeks follow-up. Recurrence rates in the new patient group were lower (36%) compared patients in the original study (50%).

Conclusion: Patient education can be a powerful tool for reducing venous ulcer recurrence rates. Comparable outcomes can be achieved for subsequent groups of patients enrolled in the education program.