QR codes to educational videos for splinting of acute burns patients; a multidisciplinary qualitative project
Liz Capell1, Stephanie Bui1, 1Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
Splinting adherence in acute burns patients at the Victorian Adult Burns Service (VABS) in Melbourne has been variable. A baseline survey completed by 27 nursing and allied health clinicians in 2021 identified several barriers to splint application on the ward, including two major barriers: patient tolerance (74%) and reduced staff knowledge of splints (52%). It was also found that 46% of staff were not confident with using specialised splints, such as mouth and neck splints.
The aim of this project was to improve nursing and allied health staff knowledge and confidence with the application of splints in the burn’s inpatient population, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Following the results of the survey, the allied health team commenced an innovative, multidisciplinary project to design splinting education that was easily accessible (24 hour a day) and only require the use of a common smart phone. The allied health team developed 8 short splinting videos (1-3mins) detailing the purpose, application instructions, precautions and wearing regime of different splints routinely used in the burn’s population. A poster with QR codes for each splint was created. The poster is available across the continuum of care for the burn’s patient at Alfred Health, including the intensive care unit, the acute ward and the rehabilitation unit. This form of education is convenient, provides sustainable learning, is accessible to all staff and enables staff to view practical demonstrations on demand.
The post intervention survey results from May 2023 will be discussed in the evaluation of the project.
Biography
Stephanie Bui is an Occupational Therapist with three years of experience working at the Victoria Adult Burns Service at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. She is currently working at Monash health within hand therapy.