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Clinical Research
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How Much Nursing Time Does Wound Care Take? A Time Study First Author: Barbara Viggiano, RN Authors: Paige Hector, LMSW; Shirley Grant, LPN; Scott Bolhack, MD, MBA, CMD, FACP, FAAP Problem: Pressure ulcers are viewed as a measure of substandard care in long-term care facilities. They are costly to treat, impact a patient's quality of life and constitute a growing area of litigation. Rationale: Staffing should reflect the acuity of the residents which includes the number of wounds in the facility and the time required to provide wound care. Methodology: A time study was completed at a 120 bed long-term care (LTC) facility to evaluate the nursing time spent providing wound care. Details of the activities that required time before, during and after the actual wound care are described qualitatively. An episode of wound care includes gathering supplies and ends with documentation. Results: Time spent on wound care was measured per resident encounter over a two month period. Data reflects quantity of wounds and differentiates between stages of wounds. Conclusion: Wound care is a time-consuming process that requires organization and efficiency. Providing personal care and locating additional supplies unnecessarily lengthens the time required to provide wound care. An effective wound care program requires commitment from the facility's administration to allot the necessary time to provide this vital aspect of resident care. |
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