Implementing Mechanical Debridement Protocol Process Improvement Plan

“Regular debridement is the cornerstone for maintaining a healthy wound bed in most chronic wounds with a potential to heal”.¹  Within our large corporation we were looking for ways to improve patient outcomes, shorten wound healing times and help patients with decreased pain and improved healing. Given the many methods of debridement available our agency decided to utilize the monofilament debriding pads prior to seeing the wound clinic physician. A survey was done to determine if the use of these mechanical debriding pads was effective. Nurses and techs both felt they were not beneficial. On further evaluation we found that the pads were not being used correctly, according to manufactures guidelines. 

A Debridement Protocol using the monofilament pad in the wound clinic was developed and implemented in an attempt to standardize care across our agencies and improve wound healing. To continue the wound bed maintenance, homecare also uses the monofilament debriding pad as part of the treatment plan.

A simple educational flyer and video were created to train the staff in the use of the monofilament pads. Timers were purchased and placed in every treatment room to ensure the pads were used for sufficient time to maximize benefit. A standardized 4-minute scrub was expected when using the pad or lolly.

Physicians found that with the implementation of the protocol, their debridement time was decreased and the structures in the wound bed were more clearly defined and sharp debridement was easier to complete. The physicians felt that the lolly was able to debride places that they could not easily see to sharp debride.

Implementation of the Debridement Protocol has standardized the use of the product. We have seen an overall decrease in treatment time and decreased physician debridement time.