WoundBlog.com

Initiating a program to reduce pressure ulcers can be a difficult task. The wound care nurse should consider themselves the manager in a process of change that includes the initiation and follow through of  pressure ulcer prevention and treatment  programs. Moreover, the wound care nurse should foster an  environment were ...

Two key article references regarding CMS, hospital present on admission, and  pressure ulcers. 1. Armstrong, D., Ayello, E., Capitulo, K., Fowler, E., Krasner, D., Levine, J., Sibbald, G., & Smith, A., 2008. New Opportunities to Improve Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment - Implications of the CMS Inpatient Hospital Care Present on ...

Stoma Paste is a very useful tool when trying to provide a uniform surface for the placement of wound VAC drape over uneven surfaces. Uneven surfaces include skin folds, incision line deformations, or anatomical irregularities related to surgery or trauma. There are many brands of stoma paste available, but I ...

Prior to dressing changes, patients deal with the anxiety related to the thoughts of pain and suffering.  Clinicians can help reduce anxiety by meeting with the patient and discussing the patient’s concerns.  The World Union of Healing Societies Initiative paper (Minimising pain at dressing-related procedures:  “Implementation of pain relieving strategies”) ...

Reducing pain during VAC Therapy dressing changes is a common challenge for clinicians. KCI's VAC Therapy Guidelines provide useful strategies for how to reduce pain during a VAC dressing change: "First, if the patient complains of discomfort throughout therapy, consider changing to V.A.C.® WhiteFoam Dressing. Second, ensure the patient receives ...

I have had several requests to cover the topic of pain control during dressing changes. So, over the next month I will discuss several topics related to pain and wound management. I thought it would be best to point out an established model that will be a useful framework for ...

There is a lot of  information on the web regarding wound care education. But, only a few that are done on the scale of these four websites. If you are new to wound care or just looking to add a few pearls of information give these websites a try. Some ...

Strategies for building a wound related  'present on admission' program should  include optimizing wound and skin care. First, it is important to consider how the hospital plans to educate the staff responsible for assessing patient's skin and wounds. Options include (but are not limited to) creating a wound care related ...

Strategies for dealing with new CMS pressure ulcer guidelines involve accountability on many levels. This includes unit level acountability. In this case staff will complete a Cause Analysis on every Stage 2, 3, or 4 pressure ulcer determined to be caused after admission. When needed a plan of action should ...

MALVERN, Pa. - (Business Wire) Proper wound care management has become one of the top concerns for many clinicians across various medical specialties. Treatment is specific to the wound type, the patient and the long-term care plan and requires ongoing assessment. The Scottsdale Wound Management Guide handbook is quickly becoming ...

Xenaderm (Ointment) – Healthpoint Description: Xenaderm is a vasodilator that promotes healing with a non-petrolatum base that provides a fluid repealing barrier. Indications: Xenaderm is appropriate for partial thickness wounds, perineal wounds, and radiation skin reactions (Healthpoint, 2008). Authors notes: 1. Xenaderm is particulary useful for difficult to dress incontinence-related skin injuries. 2. Xenaderm may ...

[caption id="attachment_310" align="alignright" width="418" caption="The Scottsdale Wound Management Guide Arrives!"][/caption] The Scottsdale Wound Management Guide arrived at the SAWC conference in Dallas. Over the last four years I have been working on the Scottsdale Wound Management Guide. The book was finally published through HMP communications at the beginning of May. We had a ...

Santyl Collagenase (Enzymatic Ointment) - Healthpoint Description: Santyl Collagenase digests collagen in necrotic tissue and contributes towards the formation of granulation tissue and subsequent epithelization Indications: debridement for chronic dermal ulcers including pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and severely burned areas (Healthpoint, 2007). Authors notes: 1. ...

Mepitel (Silicon Dressing)- MoInlycke Health Care Description: Mepitel can be removed from the skin surface with minimum pain and without damaging delicate new tissue. Indications: Mepitel is used in the management of wounds where adherence of a dressing to the underlying tissue represents a particular clinical problem. Typical applications include skin ...

Acticoat 3 & 7 (Antimicrobial Dressing ) - Smith and Nephew Description: `nanocrystals' of metallic silver exhibit pronounced antibacterial activity against a wide range of organisms. Indications: for partial and full-thickness wounds such as leg ulcers, pressures sores and other chronic wounds with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including strains resistant to ...

Differential diagnosis for pressure ulcers If its not a pressure ulcer, then what is it? Intertrigo: Inflammation of the skin folds caused by friction, perspiration and bioburden. Assessment characteristics include: erythema, maceration, denuded skin, itching, odor, and satellite skin lesions Denuded Skin: Loss of the epidermis is caused by exposure to feces, urine, body fluids, ...

VASCULAR ASSESSMENT The vascular assessment will answer the question “Does the wound have enough blood supply to heal?” Healthy tissue is bright, beefy red, shiny, and granular with a velvety appearance. Tissue with poor vascular supply is pale pink or blanched to dull, dusky red color. Physical vascular assessment Peripheral pulses Temperature Presence ...

Over the last four years I have been working on the Scottsdale Wound Management Guide. The book was finally published through HMP communications at the beginning of May. We had a few copies at the SAWC in Dallas and it was nice to see the response from all who viewed it. ...

DOCUMENTATION Document a full patient history including: Initiating event and the duration of the wound Previous treatments and their outcomes Diabetes control and prior complications Medical conditions that may interfere with wound healing Medications that may interfere with wound healing Underlying pathophysiology    Psycho-social barriers to wound healing Severity of pain   Other Important Wound Documentation Routine ...

WOUND CHARTING SUGGESTIONS:   A. What is the underlying etiology contributing to the wound site? Neuropathic, diabetic, end-stage renal disease, spinal cord injury, paraplegic, ischemic/pressure injury, dyspnea.   B. Where is the wound located anatomically? Pressure points include: occiput (back of head), scapula, spine, elbow, sacrococcygeal, trocanter, ischial tuberosities, malleolus (ankle), heel. Friction sites may include gluteal ...