Changes in leg ulcer management practice following training in an Irish community setting.

OBJECTIVE

To identify regional changes in leg ulcer management following leg ulcer training for community-based nurses which incorporated Doppler ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) assessment.

METHODS

This was a two-part study conducted in the Irish Health Service Executive, Mid-Western Area. An initial audit in 2005 gathered details on all leg ulcer patients treated in the community in one week, including patient demographics, ulcer aetiology, assessment and treatment. The first audit was carried out before the introduction of a training course for community-based nurses in leg ulcer assessment and management. The training programme was delivered in 2005 and again in 2006. In total 30 public health nurses and community registered nurses from this region completed the course. The second part of the study involved repeating the audit in 2007. By comparing the results from 2005 with 2007 we were able to identify changes in leg ulcer assessment and management.

RESULTS

A total of 426 and 449 leg ulcers were identified, with a prevalence of 0.12% and 0.1% in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Prevalence increased to 1.2% (2005) and 1.1% (2007) in those aged over 70 years. Most ulcers were venous in origin (63.3% in 2005 versus 68.8% in 2007). From 2005 to 2007 the number of venous leg ulcers treated with high compression increased significantly, by almost 16% (p < 0.0001). Once-weekly dressing changes increased by a significant 10%, reducing the number of dressings requiring more frequent changes (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Significant improvements in leg-ulcer practices were noted in the 18-month study period. The results show very significant increases in number of patients treated with high compression and a significant reduction in more than once-weekly dressing changes. These positive changes may be partly attributed to the enhanced knowledge and skills nurses gained by participating in training.