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Nursing Best Practice Guideline
Responsibility for Development
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, with funding from the Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care, has embarked on a multi-year project of nursing best practice
guideline development, pilot implementation, evaluation and dissemination. Assessment
and management of venous leg ulcers is one of six nursing best practice guidelines developed
in the third cycle of the project. The RNAO convened a panel to develop this guideline,
conducting its work independent of any bias or influence from the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care.
Purpose and Scope
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The purpose of this guideline is to:
improve outcomes for venous leg ulcer clients;
assist practitioners to apply the best available research evidence to clinical decisions;
and
promote the responsible use of healthcare resources.
Best practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and
clients’ decisions about appropriate healthcare (Field & Lohr, 1990; McKibbon, Eady & Marks, 1999).
This best practice guideline is intended to provide direction to practicing nurses in all care
settings, both institutional and community, in the assessment and management of venous
leg ulcers, including prevention of recurrence wherever possible.
The guideline focuses on:
1. Practice Recommendations: directed at the nurse to guide practice regarding assessment,
planning and interventions.
2. Education Recommendations: directed at educational institutions and organizations in
which nurses work to support its implementation.
3. Organization and Policy Recommendations: directed at practice settings and environment
to facilitate nurses’ practice.
4. Evaluation and monitoring indicators.