Ms Kate Behm1, Ms Kim Rushbrooke2, Ms Caitlin Dumergue1, Mr Jeremy Macdonald3, Mr Asher Kirk1,4
1Physiotherapy Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia, 2Alfred Simulation Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia, 3Orthotics Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia, 4School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Kate Behm is a senior physiotherapist currently working at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. She has experience across the continuum of care from acute to community settings but has a particular interest in services to enhance outcomes in the acute orthopaedic trauma population.
Abstract:
Purpose:
Develop and implement an on-demand resource for staff on the correct technique to don thoracolumbar (TL) spinal braces.
Background:
TL braces are frequently used to manage patients following spinal fracture or surgery. Safe and effective application of these braces in the acute care setting is essential for promoting therapy engagement and minimising hospital-based harms. A 2022 survey of trauma ward nursing staff at The Alfred Hospital revealed that staff have low confidence in donning TL braces and lack sufficient resources that support bedside education.
Methods:
A multidisciplinary team created video packages demonstrating correct technique for applying the five TL braces, accessible through quick response (QR) codes displayed on the ward. Resources were tested with key stakeholders; data collected from testing cycles included surveys of trauma nursing staff, qualitative feedback and number of video views. Feedback informed further adaptation and distribution of the resource. Implementation included concurrent targeted education sessions.
Results:
The video resources were accessed more than 100 times over a six month period. The majority of nursing staff (87%) found the video QR code resource valuable and reported greater confidence levels (95%) in their ability to find information. Nursing staff confidence in brace application improved in four of the five braces. Following adaptation, the resource was implemented with support from nursing educators and unit managers.
Conclusion:
QR-coded video resources offer a convenient on-demand bedside resource for nursing staff. Future opportunities exist to spread this resource across Alfred Health, broader health networks and as part of patient education.