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June 25, 2007

Mercy nurse’s research published

James Coburn

EDMOND — Improved techniques in the monitoring of wound care and it’s prevention is empowering nurses at Mercy Health Center to offer their best in patient care.

“Preventing a wound is a lot easier than taking care of a wound,” said Nancy Dobbs, a registered nurse providing therapy for ostomy and wound patients at Mercy.

Dobbs’ research and development was published in last week’s issue of the Journal for Nurses in Staff Development. Mercy RN Pam Spanbauer and statistician David Datz contributed to the article.

Dobbs passed the wound ostomy certification exam at Emory University in 2001. Two years later, she helped develop a monitoring program for bedsores on patients at Mercy.

Nurses at the bedside assess patients for wounds at admission time. They begin any changes that are needed to prevent or heal skin breakdown. Data is gathered by the staff nurse and electronically sent to the wound ostomy and continence nurse.

“We have seen a steady decline in our skin breakdown of our patients,” said Dobbs, a longtime Edmond resident.

Mercy began a mandatory skin school for in-service nursing education. Dobbs said consistent monitoring and repositioning is essential for success.

“Because of Nancy’s leadership, dedication and widened base of knowledge, she empowers Mercy nurses at the bedside to exceed national standards of care and superior clinical outcomes. Her teaching style encourages critical thinking at the bedside, which is every hospital’s goal, while making learning fun,” said Teri Round, Mercy’s director of specialty services.

(Features Editor James Coburn may be reached via e-mail at jcoburn@edmondsun.com.)

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