Abstract
Background
Chronic vascular wounds have a significant economic and social impact on our society calling for allocation of a great deal of attention and resources. Efforts should be oriented toward the achievement of the most effective and efficient clinical management. The Angiology Unit at the University Hospital of Padova, Italy, developed a performance improvement project to enhance the quality of practice for vascular ulcers.
Methods
The project consisted in a multistep process comprising a critical revision of the previous clinical process management, staff education, tightening connections between operators and services, and creation of a position for a wound care nurse. The previous standard of practice was modified according to the results of revision and the current evidence-based practice.
Results
The new standard of practice reached its full application in September 2015. The number of patients treated and the number of visits in 2015 remained almost unvaried from 2014. However, the total annual expenditure for treating vascular ulcers was reduced by ~60% from the previous year.
Conclusion
Standardization of guidelines and practice is effective in creating an efficient clinical management and in reducing the economic burden of vascular ulcers.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank G Camporese, MD, RC Martini, MD, G Salmistraro, MD, and MA Scomparin, MD, who served as scientific advisors; E Baracco, RN, M Bettella, RN, L Cacco, RN, N Griggio, RN, S Morandin, RN, F Nalin, RN, A Noventa, RN, O Scarpazza, RN, C Tonello, RN, and P Zulian, RN, who provided and cared for the study; C Napoli, L Bissoli, E Farinazzo, and B Rossato, who provided technical administrative support.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.