(CS-031) Applying T.I.M.E. to practice; Simplifying approaches to exudate management

Britney Butt, MClSc-Wh, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C); Amanda Loney, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), IIWCC; Sophie Berry, BSc Hons; Ashley Hudson, RN, BSN, NSWOC, IIWCC; Mandy Spitzer, MBA, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

Introduction:

While exudate is integral to support wound healing, over- or under-production of wound exudate adversely impacts healing.¹ A systematic approach to wound assessment should be utilized to assess the patient and implement appropriate wound treatment.²

The T.I.M.E. clinical decision support tool (CDST) is a useful wound assessment paradigm that can be easily adopted in practice to select the right dressing for the right patient at the right time.³ Wet-to-dry gauze dressings have been used to dress wounds for centuries. Now, dressings exist that create and maintain a moist environment, known to promote wound healing.⁴

Methods:

Two wound, ostomy, and continence nurses in acute and community care, explore and provide tips and clinical best practices for assessment of exudate management, through case examples, based on the T.I.M.E. CDST. Additionally, common dressing challenges and the importance of ongoing re-evaluation of wound management were identified.

Results:

Case examples include assessment and identification of appropriate treatment plans for wounds in need of debridement, infection management, moisture management and evaluation of edge of the wound, based on evidence-based practice and the T.I.M.E. CDST.

Discussion:

Effective exudate assessment and management promotes wound healing, decreases exudate-related complications, improving outcomes for patients. This real-world application of the T.I.M.E. CDST, evidence-based practice and importance of ongoing wound re-evaluation through case examples provides useful tips and tricks to promote simple and appropriate wound bed management.