A tool to aid nurses' decision making in relation to dressing selection.
A multidisciplinary formulary group was established to create a standardized approach to wound management throughout Carmarthenshire. It was felt that a tool to aid nurse's decision making in dressing selection might enhance the process of formulary implementation. This article outlines the development of the tool. An action-research approach was chosen to investigate the idea. The project followed a series of cycles consisting of planning, action, data collection and reflection. The first cycle confirmed the need for such a tool. A reference card was produced. As a result of data collected in the second cycle, the card was reproduced with suggested improvements. The improved tool was then evaluated in the third cycle. Minor adjustments and incorporation of the completed Carmarthenshire formulary took place during the fourth cycle. The Carmarthenshire formulary is now in use and accompanied by the reference card.
Keen
Delia
D
Intensive Care Unit, West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthenshire NHS Trust, Wales, UK.
James
Jane
J
D001458:Bandages / Q000592:standards*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005569:Formularies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*