| dc.description.abstract | Background: Obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2, has been on an alltime increase throughout the world-- especially in the United States-- and there are no indications of obesity rates declining in the near future. These findings are of increasing concern due to the risks that occur with obesity and the subsequent risks that obese women will encounter during pregnancy, particularly infection. Problem: Researchers have begun trials evaluating the effectiveness of prophylactic NPWT following a cesarean section in obese women compared to a standard post-operative dressing in this population to reduce infection rates. However, there are no specific instructions for obese postpartum women who are discharged from the hospital with a wound vac. Implementation: Using a local county facility, the researcher used de-identified charts to review certain discharge instruction handouts that were being given to either obese postpartum women or to obese patients sent home with a wound vac. A universal discharge instruction packet for obese post cesarean women going home with a wound vac was created by compiling parts of relevant information from the county facility's database. Conclusion: The creation of discharge instructions for the specific population of obese post cesarean women going home with negative pressure wound therapy was needed in order to properly educate these women and to further prevent infection complications. The goal is to reduce the rate of postpartum infections in the obese population by using wound vacs, teaching women how to properly care for them, and by providing appropriate discharge information. | |
