The Growing Use of Photo Documentation in Wound Care

William Hipwell,
Briggs Corporation

The importance of tracking and communicating clinical progress is changing the way wound care professionals document patient outcomes. In many clinical settings, there is a growing use of instant photography to provide an accurate, consistent and objective method of documenting pre- and post-care conditions.

Photo documentation allows wound care professionals to

  1. clearly and consistently demonstrate clinical progression over time;
  2. accurately and legally document and communicate patient conditions;
  3. visually support reimbursement claims and minimize reimbursement rejection; and
  4. motivate and educate patients with a visual record of clinical improvement.

Accurate, consistent and objective measurements are provided by the HealthCam® 2 System The Briggs Photo Documentation System, featuring the Polaroid® HealthCam®2, is specifically designed to provide immediate and unalterable documentation of wounds, skin conditions and physical therapy/rehab situations using instant photography.

The HealthCam produces photographs with a superimposed grid scale ­-much like a map in an atlas ­-that enables accurate measurements and comparisons from photo to photo over time. There are two basic ways you can take photos:

  1. close-up shots using the Light Lock™ Close-Up Lens at ten inches ­ typically used to document wound and skin conditions; or
  2. without the Light Lock™ Lens for photos at 2' to 14' from the subject.

Using the high definition GridFilm® with the Light Lock™ Lens superimposes a grid scale on each photograph, creating a standard reference of measurement from photo to photo that aids in the accurate tracking of treatment progress over time. Each square represents 1 cm x 1 cm when the photograph is taken at a distance of 10 inches. Consistent distance from picture to picture is maintained simply by converging the Light Lock™ Close-Up Lens' two light beams to a single point. This feature ensures accurate, consistent photos from person to person ­ time after time.

The Briggs Photo Documentation System eases the difficult task of measuring, describing and documenting wounds and skin lesions.

Removing the Light Lock™ Close-Up Lens and shooting pictures from various distances permits accurate photos suitable for larger wounds and skin conditions, or physical therapy and rehab measurements. The same grid is superimposed on each photo, but the scale represented by each square changes relative to the distance from the patient. A conversion chart is printed right on the camera for ease of use and accuracy.

There is no need to look through the viewfinder. Simply converge the two light beams to a single point...

AND SHOOT!
The Light Lock Close-Up Lens allows you to take accurate photos without touching the subject matter.

Benefits of Photo Documentation

Photo documentation has several applications and benefits:
A series of accurate photos taken over time provides historic data about the wound and its progress, so you can accurately document wound and ostomy conditions while providing proof of clinical progression/healing.

Many times claims officials, case managers, etc. are not aware of the severity of a wound until information is shared visually ­ which often has a greater impact than the written word alone. Therefore, serial photo documentation provides for an objective means to approach third-party payors with requests for supplemental treatments for wound care patients or requests for equipment, supplies and procedures with special needs.

Document pre- and post-operative wounds.

Record pre-existing conditions, enhance written material and validate care plans.

Provide visual support of clinical improvement for reimbursement claims to minimize rejection. Accurate and consistent photos show claim agents what you are talking about.

Accurately record and communicate patient's initial condition for primary physician to follow up.

Provide insurance companies with proof of initial condition and patient progress to minimize reimbursement rejection.

Photographs of home layouts can help secure reimbursement for special equipment and adaptive aids.

Record, analyze and document patient's range of motion, limb extension, posture alignment and position.

Record patient's initial condition and document improvement resulting from rehabilitation to assist in patient transfer.

Enhance communication between the patient, health care professionals and family members. Photos can provide for immediate educational reinforcement when a patient is showing progress, as well as the ability to improve the quality of care if progress has plateaued.

Improve patient, family and caregiver education with photographs demonstrating the correct way to perform therapeutic exercises and self-care of the wound.

Increase patient motivation with photographs that help them visualize their improvement.

Each HealthCam®2 System from Briggs comes with a Photo Documentation Accessory Kit to complete the full set of tools needed to track the healing process. A Photo Documentation Protocol and a free subscription to Developments, Briggs' photo documentation newsletter, are also included to help facilities implement and get optimum results from the system. For a free Polaroid® HealthCam®2 Guide to Photo Documentation, call Briggs Corporation at 1-800-247-2343.

If you are interested a free copy of the Briggs newsletter "Developments in Photo Documentation" contact Briggs Corporation
(800) 247-2343.