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May 18, 2005
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One week seminar, CEU's, and exam
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Submit your new question to the group right now: wounds@medicaledu.com
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Previous email questions & their replies are listed
below. Remember, replies have not been validated for accuracy or truthfulness.
Hello,
My Name is Karen McWilliams I am Treatment Nurse for my facility. We are in
the process of setting up a Medicare Unit and need any info on required
medicare information for charting, etc. Anything you can send to me via
email would be greatly appreciated.
Karen McWilliams
sweetangel35127@aol.com
|
I need
more information regarding your project. keep in mind that wound care in
acute and home care setting has different regulatory mandates. Long Term
care in a bit different, cms has the new F Tag that you need to be aware .
Also medicare part B is important to have correct billing applied
to wound care. Policies need to be aware of MDS wound assessment and real
treatment of wound that requires treatment following the National Advisory
Panel guidelines etc. Hope I gave you some ideas. unsigned
----
Karen,
Do get an MDS manual. It will tell you how to
properly code wounds, etc.
Good luck with your new unit!
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS
---
This assessment was designed to meet all of
the wound care documentation requirements for Medicare, feel free to print
it and use it if you like. You only have to fill it out once a week and put
it in the nurses notes... I tape an actual tracing of the wound to the
document. Just lay seran wrap over the wound and trace it with a sharpe.
Tina (L.V.N./wound care nurse) |
I visited your website and was impressed. I
wonder if you have any information on the cost of treating a pressure ulcer.
I realize this is a
very broad question, but would appreciate any info you could give me. thank
you,
Karen Whitmore RN
P.S.
I am looking at Stage 1 and Stage 2
I am looking at all the items in the list below, except surgery, which would
not be indicated for Stage I and II. Thank you for your assistance.
Karen Whitmore
- product
- nutritional support
- support surface
- nursing time
- hospitalization
- antibiotics |
The
National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel has some information on this.
www.npuap.org
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
---Each case is different to some
degree depending on comorbities, mobility status, etc. However, you might
try working from the Braden scale
interventions list. You can find the scale and interventions at
www.bradenscale.com. Good Luck in your search
Kim
LPN, Wound Care Coordinator
---
Karen,
The cost of treating a wound depends in part to
the setting you are in. It is easier if you were merely in an outpatient
setting or utilizing part B Medicare or private insurance as billing is
simpler. If you are in an inpatient Medicare unit,
you consider other things and reimbursement depends on other factors about
the patient so it is harder to pin down cost of wound care only. In an
outpatient setting you don't get reimbursed for the labor cost and dressings
can be iffy also. Billing is by CPT code which is based on procedure
(some you can bill by amount of time spent and some has flat rate regardless
of time spent in delivery). You could be for instance debriding a wound
using a G code and it is a service-based code which means you get reimbursed
1 flat rate
no matter how long it took you to complete the care. The only measurable
cost is the cost of dressings regardless of setting. You can check with
purchasing on how much the dressings on your formulary cost and check with
Business office on the profit margin. Labor cost, the cost of other
interventions such as support surfaces
(special mattress) in an inpatient Medicare setting does not matter much as
again you don't bill by time spent on wound care alone.
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS
---
According to my sources, the cost is anywhere
between $6500.00-$65,000.00…..CDN
Karen Barratt, RN, BScN
---- |
Hi,
I am a wound care link nurse and I have attended a Tissue Viability course,
so I like to consider myself as a nurse with some knowledge of wound care
BUT I just cannot understand the rationale for all of the dermatologists
that I work with to dry wounds out to heal them especially wounds following
Basal Cell Carcinoma removal i.e.; at present attending to wound following
removal of BCC on forehead which has previously been infected. When I
attempt to discuss moist wound healing I am informed " DRY THEM OUT IS
BEST".
is there something I am missing? are there wounds that should be allowed to
heal by drying OR as I understood ALL WOUNDS NEED THE OPTIMUM ENVIRONMENT TO
HEAL WHICH IS WHY AS NURSES WE ARE EDUCATED TO MOIST WOUND HEAL. If anyone
can advise me whether there is research that tells us some wounds heal
better by "drying" I would really appreciate the information.
Terri |
Maybe
that's the way those dermatologists were taught in their training, whenever
that was. Moist healing results in less scarring, especially important for
the face. Find some physician-authored articles or chapters on moist
healing, and share them.
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS---
At one point I questioned an oncologist about
"drying" wounds and was told that when a superficial cancerous lesion is
removed that you don't always know if you "got it all" and if you let the
wound dry the top layers of the dermis will "die" and slough off... maybe
your dermatologist has the same idea in mind.
Tina (L.V.N./wound care nurse)
---
A wound is a wound. Period. And moist wound
healing has been shown many times over to be the most effective way to heal.
I have never heard of “dry wound” healing being effective and it usually
leads to scarring. Perhaps you could show them some of the multiple studies
that have been done on moist wound healing or contact a wound care
specialist and/or rep for a wound company that would do an in-service or
some type of education. A lot of the MD’s I have worked with still stick to
the “old ways” of wound healing but once they see how great it works, are
more than willing to use more modern methods. Good luck, I know it is tough
to change their minds! Sue, CWS
----
Unfortunately dermatologists are not wound
care experts, but want to think that they are. There is plenty of evidence
to support moist wound healing, but whether or not you can convince a
physician is another matter.
Dawn, RN, CWOCN
---
hi there im a wound care nurse working in one
of the big hospitals in the UAE
regarding what you have mentioned..such wound are realy wet...and they exude
continously ...the aim is to manage exudate by absorbing them (and there
they say drying them)..as nurses we learned that wounds should be kept
wet..and in such pateint they are already wet,,thats the time we go into
removing such exudates that might damage othe tissue. cancer wounds are
realy hard to manage cause some times you dont know what
to do,,,they smell(manage the odour)..they leck(manage exudates...they have
slough (autolytic debridement) high tendancy to have infection(p[revent
infection) and all these things can be present in one wound.
wish you all the best
regards
laila
---
Terri,
Can't understand it either. We use Mesalt
for ulcerating metastatic lesions and we need
to keep these moist. Drying up a wound to heal it is as you say "old world,
as the studies over the year found to dry up the wound actually leads to
increased healing time because epithelial cells migrate down versus
centripetally due to lack of moisture. It fools the untrained person as
it looks like the wound is healed because it is "sealed" by a "scab,"
without the person realizing that the healing' continues and takes longer
under the scab. The only rationale I could think of is someone would
actually want to slow healing due to the known rate of activity of cancerous
cells (they work fast and replicate fast). I am interested in others'
thoughts on this subject.
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS |
I work in a LTC facility in Austin, TX and I
currently have a patient I have been seeing for wound care for about 3 weeks
now. The wound is a stage IV sacral pressure ulcer with 100% granulating
tissue and signs of epithelialization. Drainage is minimal, no odor, no
erythema, no pain. The wound has significantly decreased in size since start
of care, however I've noticed that recently the wound edges have been
curling inwards thus preventing it from completely closing altogether. I
would like to know what I could do to prevent this and what type of
intervention is there to reverse the process in order to encourage complete
wound closure. I am currently using Panafil and telfa with hypafix.
Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.
Joan Salas, PT |
Try
silver nitrate to edges to 'repair' turn. To prevent it, you need to keep
the opening slightly tractioned out. Since re-epithel happens
with a 'leap frog' effect, it is a difficult thing to manage. But silver
nitrate works quickly, just keep away from viable tissue.
Hope this helps
Caren Betz PT, CWS---
Try covering the wound with plain gauze or a
calcium alginate (if you are worried about desterbing the wound bed). I know
you said that it has minimal drainage, but if you moisten the alginate it
can't absorb as much drainage. I have noticed that a lot of the time if the
cover don't fill the wound but lays over it you are more likely to have the
edges roll.
Tina (L.V.N./wound care nurse)
---
You are describing epiboli or proud flesh.
This is a condition where the epi cells have curved inward and prevent the
cells from migrating to the center. The cells then pull the new forming
cells to the edge, causing a rim of thick, almost keloid like tissue. To
prevent this you can use a saline gauze scrub each treatment to irritate or
renew the acute phase to encourage epi and granulation cells to form and
migrate. Run the wet gauze around the wound edges and across the center.
Just make sure your patient has had proper meds for pain. You can also get
an order for a silver nitrate swab. This also causes irritation by burning
the epi cells causing a return of the acute phase. I use the guaze scrub
tech during every treatment to keep the epiboli from forming and it also
works when the line has already formed, just be persistant. Hope this info
helps.
Kimberly G Cash LPTA in VA
---
It sounds like you have something called
“epiboly” happening with your wound, which is when the epithelialization
gets ahead of the granulation. You can wipe it off sometimes with some
aggressive wiping with dry gauze. Also, silver nitrate can be used to burn
it back.
Vicki, MSPT, CWS
---
Have you tried hydrofera blue? This will
stimulate granulation and help unroll the edges, secondary to negative
pressure the product offers.
It is also very cost effective. Contact your local rep. to get more info
www.hydrofera.com
.-Sharon, RN, WCC NY
----
Hi Joan
Consider getting rid of the Telfa, tends to cause too much maceration to the
wound edges and use ABD of 4x4s depending on depth and drainage, may
consider using Calcium Alginate, then consider Silver Nitrating the edges
daily for a couple of days to prevent the inward rotation.
Cheryl Nichols LVN
Wound Care
---
What you are describing is called rolled
wound edges, and when the edges are rolled, healed is stalled. I'm not aware
of any way to prevent this, but you can intervene by using silver nitrate
sticks. Silver nitrate is chemical cautery, and what you doing is basically
burning off the rolled edges and re-starting the inflammatory response of
wound healing. Roll the tip of the silver nitrate stick over the edges until
all the silver colored material is gone. Repeat 1-2x/week until the rolled
edges are gone.
Dawn, RN CWOCN
---
This is called epiboly, and I usually address
it with silver nitrate application. It can also be surgically excised.
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
---
Dear Joan,
It sounds like you've done a lot of things well, per your description of the
base. The fact that the edges have epithlialized under tells us that we need
to get rid of that border... debridement is the answer. If you don't have
access to a surgeon to either come into the facility, or send the patient to
(to pare back the edges), then you could try using Silver Nitrate sticks, to
essentially "chemically burn back" the edges. If you've never used them
before, they look like long matches, and are encased in a white tube. The
material on the end of the stick will chemically interact with the moist
tissue at the transition zone from wound to skin. You will likely need to
use several for this wound. Just rub the stick along that border, and the
tissue will turn grey to black. You are creating a partial thickness wound
by using this technique. (Silver Nitrate is often used to stop small
bleeders also). Dress the new border with a dry dressing, and use your usual
wound dressing (I like Panafil a lot, and have often used it to complete
healing with wounds as you describe; some people stop using it once the
wound is well granulated).
Anyway, I hope these ideas help. Looking forward to your outcome!
Good luck,
Jim Patrizi, PT, CWS
----
Joan,
If the wound is clean and there is granulation tissue in wound base, you may
need to look into trying something else other than Panafil. It is used best
if you need some debriding (minimal as in small to moderate amount of slough
loose slough) as papain is a potent debrider of denatured
proteins. Curling of wound edges can also be due to some infection, or to
constant trauma around the wound edges, especially Panafil requires twice
daily to daily changes. Switching to an alginate wound filler which you can
leave in the wound for
3 days since drainage is minimal, plus a secondary dressing like Allevyn
might work. Be careful with Alginate as they can dry up the wound. Another
alternative is hydrofiber like Aquacel rope. This also comes
silver-impregnated (not as much silver as Acticoat) but if there is not
signs of inflammation around the wound, plain Aquacel might work and Aquacel
with silver is to
ensure lower bacterial load. Like Alginate, you need a secondary dressing
like Allevyn. Remember to pack loosely if you are using
the ropes. Watch after the first dressing change. If the wound is dry with
the use of absorbent, you can try a wound filler like Solocyte then a
secondary dressing semi-occulsive.
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS
Joan,
Also, might you also consider changing the dressing and not using the
Hypafix. Hypafix works well in adhering and securing the dressing. However,
it adheres so much, there is so much trauma during dressing changes,
especially as again with Panafil, it is usually BID to QD dressing changes.
The Panafil/hypafix combination is the culprit to me at this time. It may
have been appropriate to use it in the more severe stages when the wound
still needed debridement.
Also ask about the patient's nutritional status.
Is he getting enough protein, hydrated well?
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS
---
It would really be helpful if I have more
information about this wound such as Patient diagnosis, cause of the wound,
measurement, onset of wound, and patients mobility, continent?. Anyway I
will try to give my two cents. If I have a wound like you have described,
here's what I would do. I will cauterize the wound edge using silver
nitrate, this will jump start the epithelialization process. To keep the
wound edge from maturing prematurely, every dressing change the wound edge
needs to be swiped gently around using a gauge. Continue with this procedure
until the wound cavity is filled with granulation tissue. I would like to
use hydrogel for this kind of wound then cover with 4x4 gauze, if you get a
strike through on the next day then use more gauze or use abd pads or change
dressing bid. Use modality such as E-Stim, SWD or US, this will help justify
you being skilled services.
Dex Bayani, PT ---
Hello,
If the wound is 100% granulating panafil may not be needed any longer.
Curasol soaked nu-guaze strips packed into the wound after cleansing and
"sanding" down the edges. Yes "sanding" that's what I said LOL! An emory
board oe even a very fing grade sandpaper rubbed along the edges before
claensing may help stop the "curling" your talking about. There is a
specific term for what your describing, but right now it escapes me. Anywho,
I have treated the same type of wound you described the exact way (above)
and had much success. One of the more important factors is to be able to
keep perfusion to the area thru walking (if able), turning(if in bed), and
repositioning(if W/C bound) (the Pt.) strictly, this can be the biggest
challenge in a LTC facility. You'll have to really develope a relationship
with the nursing staff to be able to accomplish this effectively.
Respectfully,
C. DiTullio R.N.
|
Great Day!
I am an LPN working in an outpatient setting. I would like to know if you
can point me in the right direction in finding some classes that I may be
more familiar with wound care.
thank you!
SIMONE HAMILTON |
WCEI,
offers great classes and certification too!
Sharon, RN WCC NY---
Hello Simone, There are several resources
available. There is WCEI ( Wound Care Education Institute) The web site is
www.wcei.com. They offer classes throughout the US. The course will offer
certification as a wound care nurse. Check out the site. Cheryl Wilkerson
BSN, WCC, DAPWCA
---
You could start by attending the best wound
care class available thru Wound Care Education Institute. Not only will you
get the information you need but you can become certified in wound care. It
will be the best investment in your education and wound care training that
you will ever spend. I am also a LPN who spent 10yrs specializing in wound
care. Even though I had training and was very proficient in wound care
strategies and had excellent outcomes my collegues did not take me seriously
and often questioned my plans of care, so I took the leap and it has changed
by life for ever. You can get the information on the course at www.wcei.net
. Once you are certified then your collegues will listen to you and your
career will soar. Good luck ...
Janalene Wilder Eaton, LPN, WCC, HT
---
Go to the American Academy of Wound
Management's website for a good list of
wound courses, www.aawm.org.
Vicki, MSPT, CWS
---
Try this web site, not only is it
educational, but it gives you free CEU's.
Tina (L.V.N./wound care nurse)
http://www.thewoundinstitute.com/
---
Visit the WOCN web site, www.wocn.org. They
have a list of courses that are offered. One option is the WOCN annual
conference, offered in June. This year it's in Las Vegas. You don't need to
have any specific credentials or education background to attend.
Dawn, RN, CWOCN |
|
I am a 24 year old healthy ( no diabetes or
anything) female. I had an allergic reaction to some laundry soap that
started as a bunch of small bumps ( kinda like pimples) on my thighs. I
tried to pop them and they got really bad infected and the top of my arms
followed. I they began to turn into a whole bunch of small oil pockets and
spread to my knees and calves. I waited two weeks treating them with
peroxide and alcohol and triple antibiotic ointment and instead of getting
better they got worse. I went to the local health care provider in town and
the doctor said it was Mersa. He gave me a perscription for Bactrim and a
sample of some white cream from the office that started with an S. The cream
seemed to work very well. It almost melted into my skin. When I went back
for a follow up he gave me another script for bactrim and a script for
Bactroban. This cream is different and did not react like the other. One
thigh has almost completely healed and my arms have all but the one real bad
hole, have healed. I am trying to find out what Mersa looks like. I noticed
on the calves and thigh that haven't healed that every one goes real deep in
a very small hole. Is this really Mersa? Does anyone know the scarring
effects? This is a community health center doctor. We live in a small hick
town and the emergency room doctors here have misdiagnosed my son at three
years old and he almost had to be put in a hospital and hour away. I am just
looking for some answers and visuals on Mersa. Thanks |
"Mersa"
is how we pronounce "MRSA." That is a bacteria (Staph aureus) that is
resistant to some antibiotics. It is becoming more common in
the community. Is there a dermatologist and/or infectious disease physician
in your area?
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
----The term Mersa refers to MRSA
which is Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. You can go onto the
internet and find more about it. The way to determine if you have an MRSA
would be by your having an C & S test ( Culture and Sensitive Test ). I
don't think you have a MRSA from what you are describing.
unsigned
---
MRSA is a bacteria. It actually stands for
methicillin resistant staph aureus. By squeezing the bumps, you could have
inadvertently introduced the bacteria into your system. We all have staph
aureus on our skin but what makes MRSA difficult to treat is that it is
resistant to a lot of antibiotics. The bactroban cream is commonly used to
treat MRSA as it is usually effective against it. Did your doctor take a
culture of any of the wounds? A culture would show what bacteria is in the
wounds. Maybe you also have another organism in the wounds that have not
healed. The alcohol and the peroxide would not have killed the MRSA and the
triple antibiotic cream could have made the MRSA more resistant. I would
suggest a culture of the areas that are still open and then treatment
according to the results. In the meantime, you should continue with the
bactroban cream, cleaning the wounds gently first and if they are deep, you
should cover them with a dressing to protect them. You should wash your
hands thoroughly before and after doing this. Good luck. Sue CWS
---
Part of your confusion is what you have is
not "mersa", it's M.R.S.A.
"Mersa" is slang, M.R.S.A. is a drug resistant staph infection. The
Bactroban is the topical treatment of choice. It comes in two different
forms a cream that is white and an ointment that looks like a cloudy version
of triple antibiotic ointment, the doctor probably gave you a sample of the
cream and the pharmacy filled the prescription as the ointment. You may want
to call you doctor and see if he could call you in another prescription and
this time specify that you want the cream.
Tina (L.V.N./ wound care nurse)
---
Hi,
Just wanted to inform you that Mersa is MRSA.( Methicillin Resistant
Staphyloccus Aureus). Its a type of infection not a wound type. Basically
your doctor feels the infection will not react to any type of medication
with penicillin in it. The type of scar you will get will be based on the
depth of the wound and how many layers are affect by the infection.
If you truly have staph, it is serious and contagious. PLEASE get a second
opinion!!!!
unsigned
---
Hi,
I am guessing that the “mersa” you spoke of is really the MD’s way of saying
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, which is abbreviated “MRSA” and
called “mersa” sometimes for short by some healthcare providers. It is a
bacterium, “staph” as most laypeople might recognize that term. However, it
is a very aggressive form of staph that is resistant to multiple
antibiotics. It is usually addressed by the use of Vancomycin (antibiotic)
and good wound care; I like to use the new silver-containing dressings that
have been shown to be capable of killing this form of staph. Find a wound
specialist who can help you, or try another MD who knows more about wounds,
would be my advice.
Vicki, MSPT, CWS
----
What you are calling mersa is probably
methycillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA), which is often called 'mersa'.
This means that the bacteria causing the infection does not respond to
methycillin (an antibiotic). Staph aureus is an organism that usually lives
on our skin, but if there are too many of them it's an infection. There are
no 'pictures' of MRSA. Scarring depends on how deep the wounds were to begin
with, and have nothing to do with if it's MRSA or not. The first cream that
you had was probably silvadene, or sulfamyelon, which are effective against
more organisms that cause infections than bactroban. You may want to ask for
another prescription for the first cream that you got, since it seemed to
work better than the bactroban.
Dawn, RN, CWOCN
sdwocn@yahoo.com
---
You really had a trying time and it sounds
like you still are. First, stop with the peroxide!!! Throw it away and never
use it again. Secondly, did your doctor culture the site? without doing a
culture, it is difficult to determine if it is MRSA or another bacteria.
That would help with the course of treatment chosen. Since you are computer
literate, try looking up MRSA, methicillin resistant staphylacoccus aureus.
You should be able to find a wealth of information. MRSA is very serious and
very contagious. Cheryl Wilkerson BSN, WCC, DAPWCA
---
You probably are talking about "MRSA" or
methycillin-resistant staph aureus which is an
infection that can be found in any other kind of
wound. You could be scratching and infected the
wounds which were originally allergic rash. Wounds can be cultured to know
what was the infection, then your doctor usually prescribes the antibiotic
depending on what infection there is. Bactroban is also used for MRSA.
Suggestion too is not to use peroxide and alcohol.
These hurt the good tissue and latest studies suggest the wound can be
cleansed well with saline or sterile water alone. Suggest too you see a
dermatologist to put your mind at ease about your wound or a wound
specialist in your area.
Good luck,
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS
---
Hello, I hope that by the time you'll get my
message you are completely well. To answer your question, MRSA stands for
Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. MRSA is a type of staph
bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include
methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. The bacteria will cause
an infection to the wound making it difficult to heal.
Visit this web-site, this will tell you more about MRSA. Have a good
day.
God Bless
Dex Bayani, PT
---
MERSA is a abbreviation for Methlicillin
Resistive Staphylococcus Aeuras,in laymans terms a staph infection. It is
spread from one open area to another by what we call cross contamination
(surface) or systemic transmission (through the blood) The best way to
prevent further spread is to start with good hand washing. When applying the
topical medication the physician has prescribed to the areas use a cotton
tip applicator or Q-tip and be sure not to touch one sore and then touch
another sore with the same Q-tip. If the sores are not improving with a
topical treatment then you may need to talk to your physician about an oral
antibiotic treatment. If the physician has not cultured the areas infected
that are not healing, they might want to do so to see what organism is
causing the infection to be sure the medicaiton that was prescribed is
appropriate. I am not aware of any specific photographs of MERSA that would
be helpful to you as the appearance of infection is different in each wound
and each individual. The scarring effects are also different in each person
as some people heal with no scarring at all and others scar significantly.
If you continue to have problems you might want to seek out a wound care
center as they are very up to date on wounds and infections and can help you
get on the right track for healing with minimal scaring. I hope this
information is helpful.
Janalene Wilder Eaton, LPN, WCC, HT |
|
My husband has been dealing with a stage 4
ischial pressure sore. We tried healing it with wet to dry dressing changes,
we tried the KCI wound vac and finally when those didn't work he ended up
having flap surgery last May 2004, which failed and had to have another
surgery in June 2004 . Well to my amazement he presented with a fever and
some swelling in February 2005 which turned out to be an abscess that
tunneled back to the originally pressure sore. He just went thru surgery
again 2 weeks ago using the muscle from the back of the leg. My question is:
Is it normal to have to do multiple surgeries to heal these? Do these
procedures typically fail? We have never gotten a second opinion, and I
guess now I am second guessing myself. I am terrified this is going to
happen again. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.
unsigned
|
I am
curious, yourhusband had Flap surgery, did he relieve pressure and also
receieve Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to enhance the oxygen content to an
already compromised area??? If not, ask WHY NOT?
Robert Wilson, CHT
---When an ulcer gets to the point of
a stage 4, in wound care terms it is as bad as it can get, unless it grows
and won't heal. At that point surgery is the last option and yes sometimes
they do fail. But that is a risk with any kind transplant procedure. When
someone has a "flap" done the surgeon removes healthy tissue from a "donor"
site and puts it where the body can't seem to grow it on it's own and has
for so long been fighting infection. To the body this procedure is not much
different then having a kidney replaced. Sometimes the flap is rejected,
it's discouraging but happens and it doesn't always happen right a way.
Really wish I could be more encouraging.
Tina (L.V.N./wound care nurse)
---
Any surgery will potentially fail. Before any
surgery, I would explore the capability of the surgeon and find out what
their track record is. Some surgeons have better overall outcomes than
others. If the surgeon is worth their salt, they will have that information
readily available for you. If they don't, that is a red flag.
When you are dealing with pressure ulcers, a major part of the treatment
should be pressure relief over the affected boney prominence. If pressure is
not adequately relieved, the wound will probably re-occur, and will require
more surgery. You and your husband should have been educated about pressure
relief products, including a prescription for a wheel chair cushion, and
techniques to help prevent recurrence of the pressure ulcer.
Dawn, RN, CWOCN
---
There are many causes of infection. It is
difficult for a tunneling wound which may leave tracts that you don't see on
inspection. We'd know of patients whose wound on the sacrum closes up
and a tract was not seen and formed a
communication with the pelvic cavity where
infection usually sets.Infection can also be caused
by different conditions such as when someone's resistance might be low, low
oxygen conditions and of course infection is always a risk after any
surgical procedure. Infection can also come from other sources. Wounds close
to the perineum are notorius sites of infection as the site is easily
reached by feces or urine. Ask about nutrition and even vitamin supplements
as good nutrition and sometimes additional vitamins help you ward off
infection.
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS
---
Unfortunately there are times when flap
surgeries fail for one reason or another. The cause of failure can range
from the patient not having proper nutrition to help with the healing
process, Continued pressure to the area being treated, undetected infection
at the surgerical site, etc. Before healing can begin infection must be
treated and alleviated. Since your husband has had several failed surgeries
you might consider seeking to see if he would qualify for Hyperbaric
treatment following surgery to help the grafts to start healing. Consult a
nutritionist to be sure that he is getting the nutrition he needs for the
healing process and be sure that no pressure is being applied to the area
that is trying to heal. If you are looking for a second opion you might want
to seek out a wound care center as they specialize in the treatment and
healing of chronic wounds and will be able to help get the healing started.
Hope this information is helpful, hang in there, there is light at the end
of the tunnel.
Janalene Wilder Eaton, LPN,WCC,HT |
please advise what the adverse affects may be as
a result of ultrasound therapy in wound healing.
Thank you.unsigned2 |
The
risks are the same as in using ultrasound for any other purpose. There is
the risk of burning, especially the periosteum. Not moving the soundhead
adequately can result in standing waves that can cause vascular damage.
There is the risk of cross-contamination if good infection control
procedures are not kept. Of course, you have to adhere to all the standard
precautions and contraindications for US. That said, the evidence on US is
spotty and inconsistent for wound
healing.
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS |
Hello
I've registered for your mailing list. I am very interested in learning more
about your organization. I am especially interested in your opinion on wound
care in the home setting with caregiver delivered care and the increasing
need for caregiver/non professional teaching. Is there a growing need for
wound care kit availability to the consumer?
Thank You
Judy Lane |
There
are several companies that supply dressings to patient's homes.
Is that what you're thinking about?
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
----I did home health for 4 years and
taught wound care to many pts/caregivers, and now do so as an outpt
therapist. The effectiveness of pt/caregivers providing wound care varies
greatly, as you would expect. I found that most laypeople are not as
aggressive at cleaning wounds as healthcare professionals are. Another
concern I have is the clean or “sterile” technique (of course there is no
true sterile technique in the home) being used, as laypeople often just did
not think twice about touching clothing, table, etc then touching the
supplies or wound again. I would say that there could be a place for kits as
you speak of. With home health, of course, the agency should provide the
supplies the staff uses. What I am now seeing, with doing outpt wounds, is
that my patients sometimes get frustrated trying to get together all they
need for dressing changes between outpt visits. Also, they cannot find
specialty dressings such as Acticoat, Silverlon, alginates, Polymem (some of
my favorites) very readily.
Vicki, MSPT, CWS
---
Judy,
Wound care is never just limited to dressings.
The better clinician would constantly monitor
other areas as hydratrion, nutrition, assess the
wound as during the different phases of healing, it may be necessary to
change to different dressings or different dressing frequency. Caregiver
education is important especially in teaching them clean techniques and
including nutrition/hydration/skin care. However,
the nurse should always check the wound for the
reasons I mentioned. Depending on what the wound looks like, it may even be
necessary to request labwork at times.
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS |
|
does anyone know the protocol for stasis wounds
as far as measurements go. the agency I work for requires us to measure
stasis ulcers q week. I find this time consuming and not helpful. these
wounds are chronic and rarely resolve completely. does measuring have any
purpose in monitoring the healing of these wounds. thanks for your input.
unsigned3 |
Measuring is absolutely a key element in monitoring vascular ulcers. Not
only is it a way to track the ulcer’s healing or lack of, but it also gives
you an opportunity to assess the patient for any changes that occur in the
wound, any signs of infection, increased pain, etc. These wounds do not
always have to be chronic. Have vascular studies been done to determine
their circulatory status, have they been evaluated by a vascular MD, have
different treatments been tried, compression if applicable, and a complete
dietary evaluation? I also have to track vascular ulcers weekly and am glad
to do so. Sometimes you end up tracking them until the patient unfortunately
ends up with an amputation but other times you have the satisfaction of
seeing the wounds heal. Sue CWS
----You don't just measure a wound to
prove that it is healing. When documenting a chronic such as stasis wounds
you are also verifying that the wound isn't getting worse, having a
non-healing wound be stable is just as good and important as having a
healing wound close.
Tina (L.V.N./wound care nurse)
----
I am vascular surgeon with a great deal of
interest in venous disease. First you need to make sure this is the result
of stasis. Then you need to identify whether this is the result of
superficial or deep venous insuficiency. Primary treatment for stasis ulcer
is to avoid vertical positions as much as possible and use of multi layered
short stretch
bandages such as unna boot (non elastic compression bandages). For
superficial venous insufficiency the veins can be ablated with surgery,
laser, radiofrequency and/or sclerotherapy.
unsigned
----
Definitely, I measure these wounds. I use a
simple length, width, depth (these wounds are usually shallow, of course),
and since venous stasis ulcers typically have irregular margins, I use the
longest,widest measures. Another method that can be good for irregular
wounds is tracing on a transparency. These wounds can be healed many times
with proper treatment. Venous stasis ulcers need compression dressings!
Arterial, of course, do not.
Vicki, MSPT, CWS
---
A stasis ulcer is one of the easiest ulcers
to heal. Compression is the key. When you have a wound compression can be
provided with a zinc paste boot (pt. must be ambulatory) or a 3 or 4 layer
wrap (pt. can be non-ambulatory). The problem with stasis ulcers is that
they frequently re-occur, if the patient doesn't have long term compression.
Long term compression is provided by a stocking.
In regards to your question about measurements, the standard in the industry
is to measure weekly. If you are doing appropriate treament, the wounds
should heal, and the measurements are not a waste of your time.
Dawn, RN, CWOCN
----
Venous ulcer DO heal, when treated
appropriately. My patients close typically in 4-8 weeks. Once you clear the
arterial supply, you need
to use compression therapy to address the etiology. Measurements are very
valuable. In fact, I find my VLUs have more change occurring in a
week compared to deep pressure ulcers.
Renee Cordrey, MSPT, MPH, CWS
---
Measuring is necessary to determine how well
the wound is responding to treatment. Even with chronic wounds like venous
ulcers, you would see a measurable change if you are using the appropriate
dressing. Healing also
depends on nutritional status and hydration. If a wound shows no measurable
signs of healing within 2 weeks, the treatment is re-evaluated and areas
such as nutrition, hydration, medications, etc. are looked into. It may also
be due to infection. I know it's tedious but necessary.
Maria Carunungan, DPT, CWS
---
Wound measurement standards are a minimum of
weekly. Wound measurement is very important in the assessment process to
determine is the treatment you are providing is effective or not.Yes they
are very time consuming but also very necessary. When you have a wound that
you are treating worsen or become larger (determined through measurement)
then that is the signal that you need to further investigate the reason
behind the stalling or decline. Stasis ulcers are the result of a disease
process, but with proper nutrition, compression therapy ( for venous stasis
ulcers only) and appropriate wound care, these ulcers will heal. Teaching
the patient about their disease process, the cause of the uclers and what
the patient themselves can do to prevent further occurence of these ulcers(
through lifestyle changes, good nutrition, controled blood sugars, etc. ) is
the very best care you can provide for your patient. If the ulcers are
arterial in nature, then referral to a neurosurgeon will be necessary,
because until the circulation problem is addressed the ulcers can only
worsen and the treatment you are providine will continue to be ineffective.
Hope this information is helpful to you...Good Luck
Janalene Wilder Eaton, LPN, WCC, HT |
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