Abstract
Aims.
The aims of this study were to survey how nurses collaborated with a hospital department of dermatology and how they treated chronic leg ulcers and to survey the nurses' knowledge of leg ulcer treatment.
Background.
Patients with leg ulcers do not necessarily receive treatment based on best evidence. Improving wound treatment among patients with leg ulcers requires surveying areas in which the treatment can be improved.
Methods.
A descriptive study was used. The subjects were all registered nurses (N=158) who treated leg ulcers in primary health care in one Municipality in Norway. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire.
Findings.
Not all patients had been diagnosed before the treatment started. Mainly nurses (57%) prescribed treatment when no diagnosis had been made. Nurses changed the treatment without consulting the department of dermatology. Compression and pain treatment were not standard procedure for all patients. Not all patients had continuity of provider in treatment. The main sources of the nurses' knowledge were their own experiences and those of colleagues.
Conclusion.
The treatment of leg ulcer did not comply with international guidelines, and this can threaten patients' safety. The nurses perceived their knowledge of wound treatment to be insufficient.