Open AccessReshaping wound care: Evaluation of an artificial intelligence app to improve wound assessment and management amid the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
BarakatJohnson Michelle,
Jones Aaron,
Burger Mitch,
Leong Thomas,
Frotjold Astrid,
Randall Sue,
Kim Bora,
Fethney Judith,
Coyer Fiona
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
international wound journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1742-481X
pISSN - 1742-4801
DOI - 10.1111/iwj.13755
Subject(s) - medicine , documentation , wound care , thematic analysis , usability , intervention (counseling) , health care , focus group , nursing , medical emergency , surgery , qualitative research , social science , business , human–computer interaction , marketing , sociology , computer science , economics , programming language , economic growth
Wound documentation is integral to effective wound care, health data coding and facilitating continuity of care. This study evaluated the usability and effectiveness of an artificial intelligence application for wound assessment and management from a clinician‐and‐patient user perspective. A quasi‐experimental design was conducted in four settings in an Australian health service. Data were collected from patients in the standard group (n = 166, 243 wounds) and intervention group (n = 124, 184 wounds), at baseline and post‐intervention. Clinicians participated in a survey (n = 10) and focus group interviews (n = 13) and patients were interviewed (n = 4). Wound documentation data were analysed descriptively, and bivariate statistics were used to determine between‐group differences. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted. Compared with the standard group, wound documentation in the intervention group improved significantly (more than two items documented 24% vs 70%, P < .001). During the intervention, 101 out of 132 wounds improved (mean wound size reduction = 53.99%). Positive evaluations identified improvements such as instantaneous objective wound assessment, shared wound plans, increased patient adherence and enhanced efficiency in providing virtual care. The use of the application facilitated remote patient monitoring and reduced patient travel time while maintaining optimal wound care.