| Abstrakt: |
Objectives: The aim of the pilot project was to develop a nurse led service delivery model to improve access and equity to specialist wound advice, to build capacity of care providers, and to improve outcomes for residents with complex or chronic wounds across the primary health network region. Methods: The 12-month pilot project involved 57 residential aged care facilities in the eligible primary health network region to participate in the educational intervention consisting of a virtual membership program including lessons, webinars, and virtual peer support group. Knowledge, confidence, and skill were evaluated pre- and post-implementation using survey and semi-structured interview. A sub-set of 26 aged care facilities participated in the clinical intervention consisting of telehealth and onsite consultations. The clinical intervention components included referral pathways, triage and intake practices, processes for the provision of services, clinical governance, and collaborative relationships to improve coordination of care across the continuum. Results: Evaluation data collected incorporated a range of outcome measures including process, resident and health service outcomes, and data on cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Conclusions: Providing evidence of the effectiveness and acceptability of the nurse-led model of service delivery and documenting factors that impede or facilitate implementation will help to identify ways to enhance the care and quality of life of older persons in residential aged care with complex chronic wounds, and our understanding of how to implement them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
