Demonstrating the benefit of a cellulitis-specific patient reported outcome measure (CELLUPROM©) as part of the National Cellulitis Improvement Programme in Wales.

Abstract

Purpose: Despite a known risk of cellulitis recurrence, the management of the wider impact and risk factors has been neglected. The innovative National Cellulitis Improvement Programme (NCIP) addresses this by providing evidence-based and individualised care to improve patient reported outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence. The aim of this paper is to examine the longer-term impact of cellulitis and to identify a suitable and clinically relevant Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM).

Methods: A review of existing cellulitis-specific PROMs was undertaken, alongside literature detailing the patient-focused impact of cellulitis, to identify a suitable PROM for clinical use. A group of expert therapists and patient representatives (n = 14) shared their individual and collective experiences over a series of events to discuss and debate the impact of cellulitis and review available PROMs. CELLUPROM^© is introduced with anonymised PROM data and case study information reported to establish the impact of CELLUPROM^© within usual NCIP care.

Results: No cellulitis-specific PROMs were identified. Literature focused on the signs and symptoms of an acute episode of cellulitis, with outcome measures primarily used to evidence the impact of an intervention. An enduring physical, social and emotional impact of cellulitis was identified in this study, providing the basis for the new cellulitis-specific PROM (CELLUPROM^©), which has been implemented with good effect in clinical care.

Conclusion: This study has highlighted the lasting impact of cellulitis. Using CELLUPROM^© within the risk-reduction NCIP has helped develop Value-Based Healthcare and support programme evaluation.