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Practical Issues in Wound, Skin and Ostomy Management
Document if the diversion is an intestinal or urinary ostomy, whether it’s temporary or permanent, and the location— abdominal quadrant, skin fold, umbilicus. (See Descriptor reference.) (more…)
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A systematic review of eight clinical trials of 517 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and at least one pressure ulcer indicates that electrical stimulation increases the healing rate of pressure ulcers. Wounds with electrodes overlaying the wound bed seem to have faster pressureulcer healing than wounds with electrodes placed on intact skin around the ulcer. (more…)
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The Journal of Wound Care has published “Recommendations for the management of biofilm: a consensus document,” developed through the Italian Nursing Wound Healing Society.
The panel that created the document identified 10 interventions strongly recommended for clinical practice; however, panel members noted that, “there is a paucity of reliable, well-conducted clinical trials which have produced clear evidence related to the effects of biofilm presence.” (more…)
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A study in Gastroenterology Nursing reports that compared to a conventional skin barrier, a moldable skin barrier significantly improves self-care satisfaction scores in elderly patients who have a stoma. The moldable skin barrier also caused less irritant dermatitis and the costs for leakage-proof cream were lower.
“The application of a moldable skin barrier in the self-care of elderly ostomy patients” included 104 patients ages 65 to 79 who had a colostomy because of colorectal cancer.
By Leanne Richbourg, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, CWON-AP, CCCN, GCNS-BC
Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the gold standard for surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). It’s also done to treat colon and rectal cancers, such as those caused by Lynch syndrome (LS). IPAA allows the patient to maintain fecal continence and evacuate stool from the anus after colon and rectum removal. A temporary ileostomy may be part of the overall process, but there’s no need for a permanent stoma. (See Understanding ulcerative colitis, FAP, and Lynch syndrome.) (more…)
Read MoreBy Beth Hoffmire Heideman, MSN, RN
No one wants an ostomy, but sometimes it’s required to save a patient’s life. As ostomy specialists, our role is to assess and intervene for patients with a stoma or an ostomy to enhance their quality of life. We play an active role in helping patients perform self-care for their ostomy and adjust to it psychologically, starting even before surgery. (more…)
Read MoreAccording to a study published in Diabetes Care, the economic burden associated with diagnosed diabetes (all ages) and undiagnosed diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes (adults) exceeded $322 billion in 2012, amounting to an economic burden exceeding $1,000 for each American. (more…)
Read MoreBy Joy Hooper, BSN, RN, CWOCN, OMS
Have you ever had an idea for improving patient care that you wanted to market? You may have lacked confidence or know-how, as I once did. But one patient, a crafty idea, and a trip to Walmart put me on the path to becoming a successful nurse entrepreneur. (more…)
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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…)
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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
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.
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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…)
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Take a few minutes to check out this potpourri of resources.
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:
The site also provides contact information for the regional associations. (more…)
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