All Wound Management Projects
Title of project:
A vision for a nurse-led wound management service: innovating from the inside out – published report
Funding body: Ministry of Health
Project description: This report discusses the development of a nurse-lead wound management clinic at Nurse Maude, Christchurch, and the impact on patient outcomes and service delivery
Project outcomes: Ministry of Health (2009). A vision for a nurse-led wound management service: innovating from the inside out. Wellington: Author. Available from: http://www.moh.govt.nz or contact the NZICHC on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Further information :Cathy Hammond, Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator, Specialist Wound Management Service, Nurse Maude
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Title of project:
Keratin wound dressing: patient and nurse acceptability study
Funding body: Keratec Limited and Nurse Maude Specialist Wound Management Service
Project description: The aim of this study was to examine the user acceptability for patients and nurses of three new types of Keratin wound dressings used to treat leg ulcers. Both nursing and patient participants were asked to comment, using a written questionnaire, on the use of the dressing, its’ ease of use, comfort, simplicity and any other points they wish to identify.
Project outcomes: journal article in progress
Further information: Cathy Hammond, Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator, Specialist Wound Management Service, Nurse Maude
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Title of project:
The dermatological needs of leg ulcer patients attending the Nurse Maude Wound Management service
Funding body: Christchurch Hospital and Nurse Maude
Project description: The specific aims of the project were to:
- To find out the proportion of leg ulcer patients that would benefit from dermatology input
- To find out if the wound clinic nurses can identify appropriate patients for referral to dermatology
- To develop collaboration between Nurse Maude Wound Management service and the Dermatology Department at Christchurch Hospital
This was a prospective study where 54 patients with leg ulcers attending the clinic at Nurse Maude were seen by a dermatologist for an assessment. Nurses treating those patients were then asked to complete a nursing assessment form to identify patients for dermatology referral. The similarities and differences between the two assessments and the need for dermatology referral were then examined. The findings showed that patients who were chosen by both the dermatologist and nurse as needing a dermatology referral, the reasons given for the referral were the same. This suggests the nurses were referring appropriately. Nine additional patients were selected by the nurses for referral which were not selected by the dermatologists. Examination of both the dermatologists and the nurses’ assessment indicated moderate agreement between them, except for diagnosing vasculitis and ordering mycology tests for fungal infections. The study produced guidelines for patient referral to the Dermatology department via one nominated nurse, who would develop expertise and act as a resource to other nurses.
Project outcomes: Journal article to be submitted to the Australasian Journal of Dermatology.
Further information: Principal Investigator – Dr Ritva Vyas
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Title of project:
A randomised control trial to assess the safety and activity of a product for the treatment of venous leg ulcers
Partners/Funding body: Clinical Trials Unit, University of Auckland and CoDa Therapeutics
Project description: The NOVEL trial, is investigating whether NexagonTM is a safe and effective treatment for venous leg ulcers when used with standard compression bandaging. The trial is a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial being conducted at five sites in New Zealand and three sites in the USA. Participation period for the trial is for approximately 14 weeks. The trial involves participants receiving the study drug as a topical agent on three occasions over four weeks in addition to standardised dressings and compression bandaging. The main endpoints are ulcer healing and safety.
Project update: the project completed February 2010
Project outcomes: a project report will be published once the trial is completed
Further information: Lead investigator at Nurse Maude – Catherine Hammond, Clinical Nurse Specialist Wound Care
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Title of project:
Time and cost comparison between traditional wound measurement and an electronic wound measurement and documentation device
Funding body: ARANZ Ltd and Nurse Maude
Project description: This study aims to perform a cost-benefit comparison between SilhouetteMobile and traditional wound measurement techniques, by quantifying the costs associated with each method. This will include both the time taken to take measurements (e.g. size, depth and photograph) and to capture wound documentation. Questionnaire data will be collected from both patients and nurses to evaluate their experiences with the different wound measurement methods. This study will investigate whether the reliability and utility advantages of one electronic wound measurement system justify the capital outlay and running costs.
Project update: project is underway and data collection completed by July 1st 2010.
Project outcomes: Report and conference presentations
Further information: Lead Researcher – Dr Mark Nixon, Medical Director, ARANZ Ltd or Catherine Hammond, Clinical Nurse Specialist Wound Care, Nurse Maude
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