CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
Abstracts from the TissueViability Society annualconference 2005, Aberdeen
W e are pleased to reproduce a selection ofabstracts from presentations delivered duringthe recent annual conference of the Tissue
Viability Society held in Aberdeen on 4 May 2005. Whilethese abstracts were reviewed by the conferenceprogramme committee they have not been subject to thisjournal's usual review process.
Evaluating the introduction of nursing bestpractice statements in ScotlandAlison CoullLecturer, Department of Nursing and Midwifery,University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LABest practice statements (BPS) were launched in Scotlandin 2002 to encourage consistent evidence-based practice(EBP) by guiding practitioners in specific areas of care.This concurrent paper would outline BPS developmentand results of an evaluation to measure the impact of thesestatements on Scottish clinical practice.
The first BPS in Scotland focused on continence,pressure ulcer prevention, home oxygen and nutrition. Anational evaluation was undertaken in 2003 to assessawareness and use of the BPS as well as their benefits topractitioners and patients. A postal survey (n=1,278) ofclinical practitioners, nurse managers and practicedevelopment nurses generated a 42 per cent return rate(n=S39). Fifteen semi-structured interviews were alsoundertaken of nurses involved in BPS development.
Only 17 per cent of clinical respondents were aware ofthe BPS prior to the postal survey. BPS awareness washighest in nurse managers and practice developmentnurses who, generally, did not use these statementsclinically. The best known and most frequently used BPSwere for continence, pressure ulcer prevention andnutrition in the frail elderly. Respondents were extremelypositive towards the BPS believing they benefitedpatients, e.g. through quality improvement, andpractitioners through increased accountability andfacilitation of care delivery.
Although a national initiative, results indicateddifficulties in disseminating information to clinical staff,especially those in junior positions. Initiatives to supportBPS use worked best as part of an integrated approach
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that embedded the BPS into the local organisationalculture and enabled practice to be measured against thestatements. This study suggests the BPS could become auseful tool in promoting EBP in nursing. Results provideinitial evidence of the BPS improving the process ofpatient care and benefiting practitioners. Further researchis required to fully determine BPS impact on clinicaloutcome.
Review of best practice statements inScotlandPam CooperClinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability,Department of Tissue Viability, Aberdeen RoyalInfirmary, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZNBest practice statements (BPS) were launched in Scotland2002 to encourage consistent evidence based practice(EBP) by gUiding practitioners in specific areas of care.This concurrent presentation will outline BPSdevelopment and results of an evaluation to measure theimpact of these statements on clinical practice withinScotland.
The development of BPS was based on the followingkey criteria:• Defining what is meant by 'best practice'• Consensus among key opinion leaders who would
be instrumental in their development andimplementation
• Developing a statement that would be utilised by allpractitioners across the various healthcare settings
• Identification of different aspects of care for thevarious healthcare settings.Each statement includes sections that consist of a
statement of purpose, identification of what must beachieved, followed by the rationale for and an explanationof how practitioners can show/demonstrate that thestatement is being achieved. This ensures that thestatement can be audited following implementation.
The documents have also considered and recognisedchanges in practice among the separate care settings,primary care, secondary and care homes. Some sectionshave included keypoints/challenges, which includeadditional information specifically relevant to thediffering care needs of the primary care and/or care homesettings.
VOL 15 NO.3 AUGUST 2005
