From Adoption to Adaptation: A One-year Follow-up on the Usability, Perception, and Adoption of Digital Interactive Clinical Pathways Among a Portuguese National Wound Care Society

Introduction: Clinicians often face information overload, making it challenging to keep up with evidence-based practices.1,2 Traditional paper-based pocket guides, which quickly become outdated, have been a common tool for point-of-care decision-making.1Having information digital information readily available allows wound care providers of all types rapid access to ever-changing practice recommendations. A Por- tuguese national wound care society* transformed their printed pocket guide library into nineteen interactive digital guides, featuring interactive clinical pathways, videos, checklists, and documentation templates and disseminated among 100 Society members. This study evaluates the usability, satisfaction, and adoption of these pathways one-year post-im- plementation. Methods: A year later, an evaluation form within the platform gathered feedback using 4 Likert scale and 2 open questions. This assessed usability (how easy and often the guides are used), perceived usefulness (how the guides aid in decision-making and promote best practices), and overall perception/satisfaction (willingness to recom- mend). Data on the frequency of pathway usage were independently collected. Results: Of the 22 members who completed the evaluation, the most frequently accessed pathways were “Leg Ulcers,” “Wound Bed Prepa- ration,” and “Infection Management.” Eighty percent of clinicians used the pathways 1-2 times monthly; 86% found them helpful in clinical decision-making; and all would recommend them to peers. Five percent reported difficulties in accessing the guides, prompting the Society to offer members 4 educational webinars with clinical cases illustrating how to use each digital guide at the point-of-care. Discussion: The digital pathways demonstrated high usability and satisfaction among members, streamlining information dissemination and updates. They offer the society enhanced content management and distribution, enable in-depth data analysis, and facilitate the evaluation of interventions linked to improved real-world outcomes. This approach aims to standardize care, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance wound management outcomes. PI-040 (RPT-007) Improving Quality of Life for Patients with Complex Colorectal Wounds: Innovative Approach Using Transforming Powder Dressing Ron Sotomayor, BSN, RN, WOCN; John Monson, MD, FRCSI (Hom), FACS – Colorectal Surgeon, Director Intestinal Failure, Professor of Surgery Introduction: Colorectal surgery is performed for many conditions, including bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and more. Colorectal wounds are some of the most challenging wounds to manage, considering surgical site infection (SSI) ranges from 5-30% and is linked to significant increases in postoperative morbidity. These wounds are often left open to reduce SSI risk, adversely impacting patient quality of life (QoL) with delayed healing, pain, bleeding, frequent dressing changes, and increased nursing care demands. Methods: The objective was to evaluate the impact of a transforming powder dressing (TPD) in simplifying care of complicated colorectal wounds and improving patient QoL. TPD, comprised of polymers similar to those used in contact lenses, is an extended wear (up to 30 days) powder dressing that when hydrated, transforms into a moist, oxygen permeable matrix that protects the wound. TPD was sprinkled over open wounds (including tunnels), transformed with sterile saline, and left to protect the wound from exposure to contamination. Patients were followed until healed and TPD was topped off or reapplied as needed. Demographics, challenges with SOC dressings, wound measurements, dressing change frequency, pain and satisfaction were recorded. Results: Ten patients with a variety of complicated, surgical colorec- tal wounds were included. Of the 10 patients, 60% were female with an average age of 42.2 years (range: two months to 62 years). Seven had abdominal wounds (four with fistulas, and two with 9-10 cm tunnels), two had peristomal complications, and one had omphalocele. Wound vol- ume averaged 693.3 cm3 (range 0.7 cm to 2159.4 cm3). All patients healed (average 18.8 weeks; range 2.3-42 weeks) with no SSIs. Weekly dressing change frequency was reduced by 78.1% (total of 191.4 TPD changes over the TPD treatment period compared to equivalent of 873.9 with SOC). All adult patients reported reduced pain, and increased satisfaction with TPD compared to SOC. Discussion: TPD was utilized in complicated colorectal wounds result- ing in reduced pain, increased patient satisfaction, and significantly less dressing changes when compared to SOC. No SSIs or other complications were identified. TPD should be considered for treating complex colorec- tal wounds.