Award for Local Innovation at Southland Hospital

Thursday 26 February 2009

Award for Local Innovation in Wound Care at Southland Hospital

An article demonstrating an innovative approach to wound care that was developed by Southland Hospital’s Wound Care Clinic nursing team has won a literary award in an Australian Medical Journal.

Southland Hospital Wound Care Specialist Nurse Mandy Pagan has been awarded the Comfeel Literary Award for best case study/report in Wound Practice and Research (the official Journal of the Australian Wound Management Association) in 2008.

The Comfeel awards are awarded annually to clinicians who have demonstrated outstanding authorship and contribution by sharing their expertise and knowledge in the publication.

Mrs Pagan’s article details how Southland Hospital’s Wound Care Clinic nursing team developed the ‘Southland Snail’ – an inexpensive pressure device which aids the healing of chronic wounds with rolled wound edges such as venous ulcers (wounds that occur due to improper functioning of the valves in a person’s veins).

The device consists of a pliable 3-inch stockinet rolled into the comfortable shape of a snail and is used to fill the affected area over an ulcer before compression is applied – thus increasing pressure and improving healing.

Journal reviewers applauded the work of the Wound Care team for their novel concept and demonstration of lateral thinking and innovation.

They also praised the paper for demonstrating an innovative approach of localised pressure, stating it was an “under explored area" with this particular case study offering "encouragement for future research”.

Southland and Otago District Health Boards’ Regional Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Leanne Samuel said the award was a great endorsement of local innovation.

“We applaud local innovation that our excellent staff develop that will improve patient care and outcomes, not only in Southland but potentially nationally and/or internationally,” she said.

Mrs Pagan said she and the team were thrilled to publish their work and receive such high recognition.

“Nurse-led Wound Clinics are holistic, standardise practice, are cost-effective, reduce hospital admission rates, improve healing and reduce wound recurrence rates. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated team to provide this service for Southland patients.

“As clinicians it’s really important to share innovative practices. We really wanted to share what the team had created here as the “Southland Snail” is simple, inexpensive to make and most importantly it is effective in improving healing outcomes and can be replicated in other clinics throughout New Zealand."

The Southland Snail article is featured in the current edition of Wound Practice and Research (volume 16, 4 November) and is also available online at www.awma.com.au

ENDS

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