Assessment, prevention and monitoring of chronic leg ulcers in the community: report of a survey

A questionnaire was completed by 146 community nurses which requested information on the types of leg ulcers they managed, along with details of their nursing assessment, monitoring and prevention strategies. Important differences in their reported clinical practice related to when they qualified as a community nurse. It is imperative that patients with chronic leg ulcers be given the benefit of a medical diagnosis, and an in-depth nursing assessment so that an appropriate and effective plan of management may be developed. Community nurses could benefit from further information on the aetiology and research-based management of patients with leg ulcers. A creative approach to the dissemination of research evidence for the management of leg ulcers, as part of continuing education initiatives, is required.