Authors (including presenting author) :
Shit KYF (1), Tong SY (1), Lam MY (1), Cheung KWA (1), Mak HN (1), Leung YY (1), Yu HY (1), Wong YK (1), Wong CSK (2), Cheung PT (2), Chan TJ (2)
Affiliation :
(1) NTEC Wound Services Team, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital
(2) Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital
Introduction :
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is widely used, specifically the PICO 14 device, is used at Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) to aid in the healing of wounds, particularly in patients undergoing knee or hip joint replacement surgery. However, there is a gap in support for patients between discharge and their Orthopaedic follow-up appointment, regarding issues related to the PICO machine or wound care at home. Therefore, a dedicated pathway with collaboration with Orthopaedic team is needed to ensure continuity of care.
Objectives :
To facilitate early patient discharge, educate patients and their relatives on PICO 14 device care, minimize A&E attendance or readmission through a dedicated hotline for professional advice, and improve patient satisfaction while reducing healthcare costs.
Methodology :
• Set up a pathway from early post-operation to follow up in June, 2023.
• Design a leaflet on PICO 14 care in June, 2023.
• Wound nurse will visit patient at bedside within 1-2 days after received consultation in early post-operation and explain the care of PICO 14 machine and wound care.
• Patients will receive a leaflet with a hotline number to call (9am to 9pm, 7 days/ week) if they have any problems with the PICO 14 device or their wound.
• Patient will come back for wound assessment and off PICO 14 on post-operative Day 14
Result & Outcome :
From Jul 2023 to Mar 2024, 83 patients discharged with PICO 14, 58 patients with total knee replacement surgery and 25 patients with total hip replacement surgery. We have received 21 telephone calls from patients, main problem is machine alarm or leakage. 14 of them can solved the problem after our advice via phone and 6 of them need to attend our clinic for wound assessment or change PICO dressing. 1 of them advice to attend A&E and admitted for re-operation. Nil report of wound complications noted on the date of follow up in our clinic (Day 14). 82 patients reported wound healed with good union after off PICO 14.
