http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276263.php
Read MoreCategory: Wound Care Advisor
Minor foot wounds a major threat for diabetics
A Saudi rehabilitation facility fights pressure ulcers
By Joanne Aspiras Jovero, BSEd, BSN, RN; Hussam Al-Nusair, MSc Critical Care, ANP, RN; and Marilou Manarang, BSN, RN
A common problem in long-term care facilities, pressure ulcers are linked to prolonged hospitalization, pain, social isolation, sepsis, and death. This article explains how a Middle East rehabilitation facility battles pressure ulcers with the latest evidence-based practices, continual staff education, and policy and procedure updates. Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, uses an interdisciplinary approach to address pressure-ulcer prevention and management. This article describes the programs, strategies, and preventive measures that have reduced pressure-ulcer incidence. (more…)
Read MoreNAWCO News
A letter from one of our own
I am writing this letter to share the sense of honor and privilege I felt in working with the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO) to organize the first Eastern Region WCC Conference during the Fall of 2013. What an experience! In addition to representing a top-notch organization, I increased my knowledge of wound care and its products dramatically and met many amazing clinicians on the same journey.
Traveling from seven states and a wide variety of care settings, nearly 100 wound care clinicians came together with the common goal of enhancing their ability to make a difference in the lives of their patients. We launched the process of forming a vital clinician network that will allow us to share product and procedure information and experiences, leverage the information in our individual care settings, and strengthen the wound care knowledge of our peers.
Throughout this experience, I talked with dozens of local wound care product representatives. Like the clinicians, they provided a wealth of wound care insights. I encourage clinicians to reach out to these “best friends” of wound care and take advantage of their depth of knowledge.
I am passionate about advocating proper wound care, and if I can help disseminate wound treatment knowledge to other clinicians in support of their patients, I need no better reward.
Finally, the opportunity to represent NAWCO filled me with pride because of the respect I have for its vision. I believe in the importance of continuing education, furthering knowledge, and ensuring expertise through a certification process that is based on solid, research-based wound care. My hope is to represent NAWCO in the future.
Thank you for this exciting opportunity!
Sincerely,
Janie Hollenbach, RN, WCC, OMS,
DAPWCA, FACCWS
NAWCO names new executive director
The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO), the largest wound care and ostomy certification organization in the United States, is pleased to announce that Cynthia (Cindy) Broadus, RN, BSHA, LNHA, CLNC, CHRM, WCC, DWC, OMS, was named executive director effective February 1, 2014.
Ms. Broadus brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organization. She has excelled for over 2 decades in specialty nursing care, litigation, corporate management, and company development. She joins the organization at a time of exciting change and will be instrumental in achieving accreditation that will provide national and international recognition for NAWCO.
“I am excited to be a part of such a great organization and supporting the efforts of the close-knit community that makes up the NAWCO certificants,” Ms. Broadus says.
Read the full press release.
DISCLAIMER: All clinical recommendations are intended to assist with determining the appropriate wound therapy for the patient. Responsibility for final decisions and actions related to care of specific patients shall remain the obligation of the institution, its staff, and the patients’ attending physicians. Nothing in this information shall be deemed to constitute the providing of medical care or the diagnosis of any medical condition. Individuals should contact their healthcare providers for medical-related information.
Read MoreGuidelines for safe negative-pressure wound therapy
By Ron Rock MSN, RN, ACNS-BC
Since its introduction almost 20 years ago, negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become a leading technology in the care and management of acute, chronic, dehisced, traumatic wounds; pressure ulcers; diabetic ulcers; orthopedic trauma; skin flaps; and grafts. NPWT applies controlled suction to a wound using a suction pump that delivers intermittent, continuous, or variable negative pressure evenly through a wound filler (foam or gauze). Drainage tubing adheres to an occlusive transparent dressing; drainage is removed through the tubing into a collection canister. NWPT increases local vascularity and oxygenation of the wound bed and reduces edema by removing wound fluid, exudate, and bacteria. (more…)
Read MoreClinician Resources: Intl Ostomy Assoc., Substance Use Disorder
Take a few minutes to check out this potpourri of resources.
International Ostomy Association
The International Ostomy Association is an association of regional ostomy associations that is committed to improving the lives of ostomates. Resources on the association’s website include:
- a variety of discussion groups
- information for patients
- list of helpful links.
The site also provides contact information for the regional associations. (more…)
Read MoreMedicare reimbursement for hyperbaric oxygen therapy
By Carrie Carls, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CHRN, and Sherry Clayton, RHIA
In an atmosphere of changing reimbursement, it’s important to understand indications and utilization guidelines for healthcare services. Otherwise, facilities won’t receive appropriate reimbursement for provided services. This article focuses on Medicare reimbursement for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). (See What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?)
Indications and documentation requirements
Read MoreAchieving a work-life balance
By Julie Boertje, MS, RN, LMFT, QMRP, and Liz Ferron, MSW, LICSW
Almost everyone agrees that achieving a work-life balance is a good thing. Without it, we risk long-term negative effects on our physical and mental health, our relationships, and our work performance. But many clinicians have a hard time achieving this balance due to job demands, erratic work schedules, or the inability to say no when someone asks for help.
The challenges of stress and burnout
Stress and job burnout can cause, contribute to, or result from a poor work-life balance. They disrupt our normal patterns, behaviors, and feelings.
Of course, no one can escape stress altogether. Sometimes stress is a good thing, but we need to be able to identify when it’s a problem. For many clinicians, stress springs from the desire to provide good service and care in all parts of their lives. This desire can create stress, especially when barriers exist to achieving it. (more…)
Read MoreClinical Notes: Low BMD, CKD, hypoglycemia, HBOT
Low BMD common after ostomy
Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who have a stoma placed, according to “Frequency, risk factors, and adverse sequelae of bone loss in patients with ostomy for inflammatory bowel diseases,” published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. (more…)
Read MoreBecoming a wound care diplomat
By Bill Richlen, PT, WCC, CWS, DWC, and Denise Stetter, PT, WCC, DCCT
The Rolling Stones may have said it best when they sang, “You can’t always get what you want,” a sentiment that also applies to wound care. A common frustration among certified wound care clinicians is working with other clinicians who have limited current wound care education and knowledge. This situation worsens when these clinicians are making treatment recommendations or writing treatment orders not based on current wound-healing principles or standards of care. (more…)
Read MoreHow to assess wound exudate
By Nancy Morgan, RN, BSN, MBA, WOC, WCC, DWC, OMS
Each issue, Apple Bites brings you a tool you can apply in your daily practice.
Exudate (drainage), a liquid produced by the body in response to tissue damage, is present in wounds as they heal. It consists of fluid that has leaked out of blood vessels and closely resembles blood plasma. Exudate can result also from conditions that cause edema, such as inflammation, immobility, limb dependence, and venous and lymphatic insufficiency.
(more…)
Turning programs hinder a good night’s sleep
By Jeri Lundgren, BSN, RN, PHN, CWS, CWCN
We’ve all experienced how a bad night’s sleep can affect our mood and ability to function the next day. Now imagine you’re a patient who has a pressure ulcer, most likely secondary to a declining disease state, and you’re being awakened and manipulated every 2 hours or in some cases hourly. How is your body supposed to recover without adequate sleep? (more…)
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