Effect of Intensive Wound Care Education on the Incidence of Wound Issues among Operative Orthopedic Patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain

ABSTRACT. Surgical site infection contributed to a major cause of mortality and morbidity of many patients that threatens most of their lives. Unexpected change of dressings also caused increase cost expenditure and exhaustive effort for most of the patients. The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of intensive wound care education among operative orthopedic patients posted for major surgery in eradicating wound issues and in identifying the relationship of risk factors in acquiring wound infections such as age, sex, diabetes, obesity and diet. A quasi-experimental one group only posttest repeated measure design had been used among a total of 100 inpatients with major operations. Patients’ demographic data had been collected and the respondents were immersed in learning wound care before surgery and after surgery before discharge using presentation, pamphlets, and videos. The Bates Jensen Wound Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the wound status in three-time evaluation and scored accordingly to quantify wound issues. ANOVA and Chi Square coefficient as a statistical tool had been used for analysis and to determine relationship of the identified risk factors in acquiring wound infection and unexpected change of dressings. There was a zero incidence of surgical site infection among the 100 inpatients who were being educated intensively about wound care. Moreover, there was a decrease in the incidence of unexpected change of dressing during the implementation of proper care of the patients’ surgical sites. In regards with risk factors, there was no relationship between incidences of wound infection and age, sex, obesity, diabetes, and diet. However, in the case of unexpected change of dressing, only diabetes had a significant association with unanticipated change of dressings. Overall, in depth wound care education was effective to prevent wound issues and lead the wound into its healing phase. Therefore, the role of health care providers as health educators is a paramount responsibility to pave way for a successful recovery of orthopedic patients.Masters Thesi