Communication is enhanced
There are several features of the KISS Wound Photo Guide which facilitate improve communication.
The color coding of size allows for quick referencing of the size to all who are reviewing the medical record. The color coding sets a baseline upon the first assessment so that when the next assessment is performed a change in color will indicate that the wound has decreased or increased in size. This will alert the staff to take the appropriate actions.
"Tick" marks are placed on the 10-100 sq cm circular rings at the time positions of the clock. This feature along with the head to toe alignment, using the stick figure, gives accurate positioning and details from picture to picture. This enhancement will improve communication and the quality of care by increasing the accuracy of the photo and allowing more information to be derived from it.
Communication is enhanced through the “Tick” marks by allowing those reviewing the medical record to refer to the location of the wound by referencing the position of the clock, example being 1 o’clock or 2 o’clock positions. Is their tunneling or has the wound increased or decreased in size at the 1 o’clock position? Whether you’re in telemedicine or in a risk management meeting reviewing a medical record everyone will quickly know what part of the wound to focus on.
Healthcare is always trying to improve the quality of care. The location and features in the wound can now be more accurately described in the written documentation of the medical record. This will limit ambiguity and questions when reviewing the charts during a patients stay and later if the medical record is under investigation.
The "Tick" marks are calibrated at 5mm and 1cm, depending on the size of the ring. Calibration of the tick marks are indicators of whether the curvature of the body, the printing process or photo manipulation has occurred. The rings scale the wound 360 degrees around the wound and by measuring the tick marks around the wound at any point we know that they should all be the same size. If they are not then this indicates that the wound might be on a curved part of the body and that the scaling is different from one part of the wound to another. The KISS wound photo guides bring truth to the photograph and protect the facility.