The Nursing 411: Providing Information to the Bedside Nurse

Nursing has undergone many changes over the years: care delivery systems, educational requirements, and the advent of certification.  The expansion of the knowledge base of nursing is prolific, making it challenging to provide bedside nurses with leading edge evidence-based guidelines for clinical practice.  Educational information on the topics of skin care, prevention of injury, as well as the prevention of pressure ulcers is paramount in maintaining an effective skin care program in the acute and rehabilitation setting.  The WOC nurses in a suburban 1200+ bed hospital system used a collaborative approach to enact a plan to efficiently provide nurses with information needed to deliver care in a safe, effective manner.  The WOC's developed and implemented a wound, ostomy, and continence specialty webpage on the hospital system intranet.  The webpage contains information regarding negative pressure wound therapy, incontinence associated dermatitis, and guidelines for skin and wound care. Specific strategies for the prevention of pressure ulcers based on a pressure ulcer prevention bundle, pressure ulcer treatment, guidelines for heel ulcer prevention, and an educational tool for skin tear prevention and treatment are also included. Mobilizing the use of the hospital system’s intranet, via the computers on wheels, made the site easily accessible for caregivers. Satff members of the dermal defense team were given the opportunity for feedback and suggestions for the website prior to its launch.  As leaders and experts in skin care for the system, the team was actively involved in the decision to launch the website, directly impacting the environment for nursing practice. They were instrumental in educating peers regarding access to the site.  Initial feedback regarding this website is positive.  In addition to providing guidelines for evidence-based care, the site offers links to various continuing education sites for staff.  Next steps for implementation include the website's use during orientation.