What role does your department play in the Trust?
Tissue Viability is a Nurse led specialism which focuses on the
management and treatment of patients with acute and chronic wounds, and the
prevention and management of pressure damage.
The tissue viability service at Weston Area Health Trust provides expert knowledge and
leadership including policy provision, education of staff at all levels, equipment provision
audit to monitor and improve standards.
If a patient has a complex wound they will be referred to the Tissue Viability Nurse who
will prioritise and endeavour to assess, give advice and support staff on the
management of the wound. The aim of the service is to facilitate a positive patient
experience.
What do you see as the key achievements for the department?
I won a British Journal of Nursing Award in June 2015 - Pressure Care Nurse of the year for my
innovative idea using gingerbread men as a teaching tool for risk and prevention of pressure ulcers via a "trolley dash".
There was a reduction in pressure ulcers following a pressure ulcer awareness week in May last year when the gingerbread idea was introduced, and in November 2014 for STOP Worldwide Pressure
Ulcer I worked with Community Tissue Viability Nurse and we engaged the public in
pressure ulcer awareness, handing out leaflets etc in the Sovereign centre.
The following were also achieved:-
1. All ulcers graded one to four are reported via datix
2. Grade three and four ulcers validated by Tissue Viability Nurse
3. Purchase of cameras to photograph pressure ulcers
4. 'Pressure Ulcer- The Facts' teaching sessions delivered to Senior Nurses at Ward
Wednesday
5. Staff attendance at Teaching Thursdays, learning about grading pressure ulcers,
wound assessment and documentation
6. The Peer review in July and Hot Foot Clinic in November received good feedback
7. Completion of Pan Avon Formulary work for cost saving
What improvements are planned for the future?
A Strategy group has been formed with Senior Nurses and Governance support have an Action Plan/Driver diagram. We also plan to:-
1. Continue trolley dashes
2. Improve documentation around Pressure Ulcers and share paperwork with North
Somerset Community Partnership
3. Work with North Somerset Community Partnership to share RCA findings
4. Launch Healthy Heels week on 8th May 2015
5. Hold a Litigation study day in July
6. Invest in Pressure relieving equipment
7. We're currently undertaking a CNS review to look at service improvement
8. Undertake training needs analysis and source e-learning
9. Pressure Ulcer Policy is due for update
Team members and job titles:
Unfortunately I am currently the only member of the
Tissue Viability Team since the retirement of my predecessor in 2012. I work
alone clinically but have support from Senior Nurses for the strategic aspects of my
role. I also utilise Link Nurses to cascade information in their clinical areas.
Helen Anderson, Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist