The development of a competency assessment for vacuum assisted closure therapy.
The increased use of medical equipment to support patient care has led healthcare trusts to place a growing emphasis on providing documented evidence of a practitioner's competence to perform a specific clinical skill or the ability of a practitioner to use certain types of equipment. This article focuses on the development of an assessment process for the clinical skill of applying negative pressure to a wound using a vacuum assisted closure (VAC) technique. It is contended that the purpose of assessment should be to enhance the process of skills acquisition rather than just record a measure of performance at a particular point in time. The approach of competency-based assessment is critically analysed to provide evidence on which to develop a competency-based framework for skills acquisition and assessment. Reliability and validity in the process of competency assessment of a clinical skill is also evaluated to substantiate the development of a competency-based assessment process for clinicians using VAC therapy. The role and responsibility for the clinical nurse specialist in clinical skills assessment is analysed to provide recommendations for future practice.
Graham
Andrea
A
Poole Hospital NHS trust, Longfleet road, Poole, Dorset, UK.