Clinical Notes: Ischemia, Breast Cancer, ICU Patients
Critical limb ischemia may not increase mortality risk in patients with diabetes Diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) who are assessed quickly and treated aggressively do not have an increased risk of long-term cardiac mortality, according to a study in Diabetes Care.
Compression therapy for chronic venous insufficiency, lower-leg ulcers, and secondary lymphedema
By Nancy Chatham, RN, MSN, ANP-BC, CCNS, CWOCN, CWS, and Lori Thomas, MS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA An estimated 7 million people in the United States have venous disease, which can cause leg edema and ulcers. Approximately 2 to 3 million Americans suffer from secondary lymphedema. Marked by abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitium, secondary lymphedema eventually can cause fibrosis…
Forging a communication bond with prescribers
By T. Michael Britton, RN, NHA, WCC, DWC As wound care professionals, we’ve all experienced a time when we felt that our patient didn’t have the appropriate wound treatment orders. However, the physician, nurse practitioner, or other prescriber wouldn’t follow your recommendation. This situation is not only frustrating but can delay the healing process. This article explores why a prescriber…
From the Editor – Wound care superhero
by Donna Sardina, RN, MHA, WCC, CWCMS, DWC, OMS What an honor it is to be the wound care “superhero”—the guru, the healer, the go-to person. Unfortunately, this honor may be accompanied by wound care overload—too much to do in too little time. Once someone is crowned the superhero specialist, others may try to transfer every aspect of wound and…
Understanding stoma complications
By Rosalyn S. Jordan, RN, BSN, MSc, CWOCN, WCC, OMS; and Judith LaDonna Burns, LPN, WCC, DFC About 1 million people in the United States have either temporary or permanent stomas. A stoma is created surgically to divert fecal material or urine in patients with GI or urinary tract diseases or disorders. A stoma has no sensory nerve endings and…
What’s causing your patient’s lower-extremity redness?
By Robyn Bjork, MPT, CWS, WCC, CLT-LANA The ability to understand or “read” lower-extremity redness in your patient is essential to determining its cause and providing effective treatment. Redness can occur in multiple conditions—hemosiderin staining, lipodermatosclerosis, venous dermatitis, chronic inflammation, cellulitis, and dependent rubor. This article provides clues to help you differentiate these conditions and identify the specific cause of…
Wounds on the Web: Accessing the best online resources
By Donna Sardina, RN, MHA, WCC, CWCMS, DWC, OMS Knowledge is exploding online, making it essential that you’re comfortable using the Internet. You can also go online to save time and find a job, among other tasks. (See Online value.) However, you also need to keep in mind that anyone can put information on the Internet. As the caption of…