The team from the Camglen Treatment Room have received a Big Shout Out for their work to improve the care of those being treated for leg ulcers. The team, who are based at Rutherglen Health Centre, introduced Doppler scanning for patients with an ulcer that has not healed within two weeks.
Kendra O’Donnell, staff nurse, said: “The biggest bulk of our work is wounds and wound care. I joined the treatment room two years ago and had previously been Doppler trained.
“We decided that we would start using a Doppler on our patients with leg ulcers patients much sooner. Evidence states that to treat leg ulcers in an effective way, patients should be Dopplered within two weeks of no improvement of the leg ulceration.
“We started to make processes where we could make that happen. We began using the Doppler much more quickly leading to more appropriate treatment and quicker healing.”
The Doppler is a machine used to assess the blood flow and to rule out arterial disease.
Kendra added: “The Doppler gives us a reading. There is a safe reading where you know that you can use compression treatment. There are readings outside of that safe reading, which tells you that it possibly is not appropriate.
“We then look at that person as an individual and look at the results. It’s a holistic assessment, and many questions are asked about the patients’ health and life style to enable us to make a decision about the plan of care.
“If the patient is suitable for compression, we can then decide what compression to put on them on that day.”
If a Doppler reading is out with the safe zone, the patient pay be referred to their GP for onward referral to vascular for a more in depth test.
The team’s efforts in ensuring the most appropriate treatment is helping to improve the lives of their patients.
Kendra added: “A leg ulcer that isn’t healing can be life impacting because. They have a painful sore, which often leaks and can be quite debilitating.
“Some may have to come back two or three times a week, sometimes daily. Some of these patients are frail and old, so they have to get taxi because they don’t drive. So there’s lots of implications including mental and impacting on their lifestyle.”
Claire Rae, Interim Head of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “I’m delighted to hear that the Rutherglen treatment rooms have got the big shout out.
“I would like to say a huge thanks for all the efforts and all the work that the team does in the treatment rooms and how they provide for the people of Rutherglen.
“It’s very much appreciated, especially during challenging times that we face.”
The Big Shout Out praises NHS Lanarkshire teams for taking an innovative, creative and patient-centred approach to working, and recognises the unique contribution staff make to overcoming the challenges faced across the entire healthcare system.
