A study of the factors influencing how frequently district nurses re-apply compression bandaging

OBJECTIVE: This UK study aimed to identify the factors district nurses use in deciding how frequently to re-apply compression bandaging. METHOD: Qualitative observational data from district nurses' visits to patients and subsequent team meetings were used to structure in-depth interviews with nurses. Data were analysed according to the principles of grounded theory. RESULTS: Ten factors emerged as influences on the frequency of re-application. These included knowledge of leg ulcer care, recognition of the symptoms of wound deterioration, confidence, time management, patient preferences and sources of information. CONCLUSION: The influences reported and observed are likely to be of use in designing future bandaging trials and in the delivery of leg ulcer education. The research identifies links between frequency of bandaging and resource awareness, clinical expertise, patient preference and research evidence. Decision-makers could be taught to organise large numbers of factors into several smaller categories that might result in more accurate decision-making regarding the frequency of re-bandaging.