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- Title
Implementing clinical process management of vascular wounds in a tertiary facility: impact evaluation of a performance improvement project.
- Authors
Avruscio, Giampiero; Tocco-Tussardi, Ilaria; Bordignon, Greta; Vindigni, Vincenzo
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>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.<bold>Methods: </bold>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.<bold>Results: </bold>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.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Standardization of guidelines and practice is effective in creating an efficient clinical management and in reducing the economic burden of vascular ulcers.
- Subjects
ITALY; CARDIOVASCULAR system injuries; WOUND care; ULCER treatment; EVIDENCE-based medicine; GUIDELINES; QUALITY assurance standards; ACADEMIC medical centers; CHRONIC diseases; CLINICAL medicine; COMPARATIVE studies; COST control; COST effectiveness; HOSPITAL costs; LEG ulcers; RESEARCH methodology; EVALUATION of medical care; MEDICAL cooperation; MEDICAL protocols; QUALITY assurance; RESEARCH; SYSTEM analysis; TIME; WOUND healing; QUALITATIVE research; EVALUATION research; SPECIALTY hospitals; KEY performance indicators (Management); TREATMENT effectiveness; EVALUATION of human services programs; STANDARDS; ECONOMICS; DIAGNOSIS
- Publication
Vascular Health & Risk Management, 2017, Vol 13, p393
- ISSN
1176-6344
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.2147/VHRM.S137099