- Hui Feng
- Spring 2026
Abstract
As the aging population, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are facing more and more challenges. One of the most concerning is delayed or missed wound care because of a high nurse-to-patient ratio. The nurses have to prioritize certain tasks. Wound care always considers non-acute or immediate care. However, delayed or missed wound care often results in infection, delayed healing, and increased hospital readmissions.
The purpose of this project is to examine barriers to timely wound care in SNFs and to identify evidence-based strategies to improve the timeliness and quality of wound treatment.
The standard literature, such as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), and recent peer-reviewed studies on wound management were reviewed. To obtain more details about the concern in SNFs, informal interviews were conducted with stakeholders among floor nurses, wound care nurses, and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) within the facility to identify real-world barriers and opportunities for improvement.
Based on the findings, a one-page infographic was developed. Key strategies include standardized wound care protocols, structured communication tools, and consistent documentation practices. In addition, a flexible team member can be incorporated as needed based on the facility’s workload and patients’ conditions to support timely wound care delivery. It will support quality improvement and enhance awareness of best practices in wound care.
