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. 2018 Oct;42(5):211-216.
doi: 10.1192/bjb.2018.41.

Evaluating the effects of a peer-led suturing and wound management workshop for doctors working in a psychiatric hospital

T A Buick  1 , D Hamilton  2 , G Weatherdon  2 , C I O'Shea  3 , G McAlpine  4
Affiliations

Evaluating the effects of a peer-led suturing and wound management workshop for doctors working in a psychiatric hospital

T A Buick et al. BJPsych Bull. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric in-patients are often transferred to an emergency department for care of minor wounds, incurring significant distress to the patient and cost to the service.

Aims: To improve superficial wound management in psychiatric in-patients and reduce transfers to the emergency department.

Method: Thirty-four trainees attended two peer-led suturing and wound management teaching sessions, and a suturing kit box was compiled and stored at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Teaching was evaluated using Kirkpatrick's model, and patient transfer numbers were acquired by reviewing in-patient Datix reports and emergency department case notes for 6 months before and after teaching.

Results: The proportion of patients transferred to the emergency department decreased significantly from 90% 6 months before the workshop to 30% 6 months after (P < 0.05). Trainees engaged positively and there was a significant increase in self-confidence rating following the workshop (P < 0.05). The estimated cost saving per transfer was £183.76.

Conclusion: The combination of a peer-led workshop and on-site suturing kit box was effective in reducing transfers to the emergency department and provided a substantial cost saving.

Declaration of interest: None.

Keywords: Kirkpatrick; Self-harm; peer-led; suturing; wound management.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Suturing kit box.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Agreement of trainees attending the workshop to the statements illustrated.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Self-confidence rating of trainees before and after the workshop for (a) superficial wounds and (b) deep wounds which should be referred.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Data from Datix incident reports and emergency department case notes showing the number of wounds treated on site compared with those transferred in the 6 months before the workshop and 6 months after.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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