Clinical Order Sets: Defining Lab Tests for Wound Care

As we continue to review Your Wound Care Department Checklist for 2015 from the January 2015 column, we begin to understand the work necessary to be compliant from a clinical, operational, regulatory, and economic/financial (CORE) perspective (CORE is a proprietary process developed by the author). One area within the work list, mapping to all CORE areas, is the development of clinical order sets.

Diagnosing a specific wound type is a complex process. It takes accurate wound and skin assessment skill sets, which include an understanding of the physical findings of the wound and skin, and evaluating the patient’s laboratory values and diagnostic tests, nutritional needs, and management modalities, such as topical dressings or drugs, support surface products, and off-loading devices. An accurate plan of care is critical.

Clinical order sets (predefined templates) are one way to ensure patient safety and reduce risk. Creating order sets for the wound types seen in your department provides a common platform and support for clinical decisions related to a specific condition or medical procedure. Creating wound-specific laboratory values assists with the consistency of ordering and care.

Read the rest of the article at Advances in Skin & Wound Care.

An excerpt from an article originally published in Advances in Skin & Wound Care, written by Cathy Thomas Hess, BSN, RN, CWOCN, VP and Chief Clinical Officer at Net Health